Skip to main content

Full text of "A Century of history of the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church of Evansville, Indiana : with sketches of it's [sic] pastors, officers, and prominent members and reminiscences of early times"

See other formats


A  Century  of  History 

of  the 

Walnut  Street 
Presbvterian  Church 

of 
Evansville,  Indiana 

With  Sketches  of  it's  Pastors,  Officers,  and 

Prominent  Members  and  Reminiscences 

of  Early  Times 


Part  I.  By  Mary  F.  Reilly 

Published  in  1891 


Part  II.  By  Emily  Orr  Clifford 

Published  in  1921 


KIHKPATRICK  -  HEIM  PTG.  CO. 

EV^ANSVILLE 

1921 


History  of  the 
Walnut  Street  Presbyterian  Chnrch 

1167652 

PART  I. 


DEDICATION 


To  the  memory  of  the  friends  of  long  ago, 
and  to  the  members  of  Walnut  Street  Church, 
this  volume  is  affectionately  dedicated  by 

Mary  F.  Reilly. 


MRS.  MARY  F.  REILLY 

Historian  of  Part  I. 


CONTENTS  PART  1. 


1.  Foreword — Mrs.  Mary  F.  Reilly. 

2.  Documents  of  Trustees. 

3.  Other  Denominations, 

4.  The  Little  Church  on  the  Hill. 

5.  Rev.  Calvin  Butler  1831. 
Rev.  McAfee. 

6.  Rev.  Jeremiah  R.  Barnes  1838. 

7.  Prominent  Members. 

8.  Rev.  Samuel  K.  Sneed  1846 
Rev.  A.  E.  Lord  1848. 

9.  Rev.  Wm.  H.  McCarer  1849. 

10.  Pillars  of  the  Church"  and  "Honorable  Women." 

11.  Rev.  J.  P.  E.  Kumler  1868. 
Rev.  Samuel  Carlisle  1872. 

12.  Rev.  Charles  Henry  Foote,  D.  D.,  1876 
Rev.  Alexander  Sterritt. 

13.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Shanklin. 

14.  Rev.  J.  Q.  Adams,  D.  D.,  1878 
Rev.  Seward  M.  Dodge  1881. 

15.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Samuel  Orr,  and  Mrs.  Farrell. 

16.  Hon.  John  W.  Foster,  and  Mrs.  Eliza  McFerson. 

17.  Mrs.  E.  T.  Drew. 

18.  Professor  Tinker. 

19.  Rev  L.  M.  Gilleland,  D.  D. 

20.  Elders  and  Earliest  Members. 

21.  The  Children. 

22.  Old  Friends. 


CHAPTER  I. 


"The  great  eventful  present 
hides  the  past, 

but  through  the  din 
Of  its  loud  life,  hints  and  echoes 

of  the  life  behind  steal  in." 

In  the  address  of  Moses  to  the  Israelites  when  he  was 
about  to  retire  to  Mount  Nebo,  which  was  to  be  his  final 
resting  place,  he  exhorted  them  to  rightly  appreciate  the 
"greatness"  of  God,  who  had  in  mercy  brought  them,  not- 
withstanding their  wanderings  and  shortcomings,  safely 
thus  far,  saying  "He  found  him  (Israel)  in  a  desert  land, 
and  in  the  waste  howling  wilderness ;  he  led  him  about ;  he 
instructed  him ;  he  kept  him  as  the  apple  of  his  eye." 

"As  an  eagle  stirreth  up  her  nest,  fluttereth  over  her 
young,  spreadeth  abroad  her  wings,  taketh  them,  beareth 
them  on  her  wings,  so  the  Lord  alone  did  lead  him."  As  if 
to  emphasize  more  forcibly  this  beautiful  and  eloquent  pic- 
ture and  add  additional  testimony  to  his  assertions,  he  said : 
"Remember  the  days  of  old,  consider  the  years  of  many  gen- 
erations :  ask  thy  father,  and  he  will  show  thee ;  thy  elders, 
and  they  will  tell  thee."  The  condition  of  Israel  when  found 
in  a  desert  land  might  well  apply  to  the  state  of  the  church 
when  first  found  in  these  western  wilds,  and  the  loving  and 
watchful  care  that  has  been  bestowed  upon  it  finds  a  smile 
in  the  foregoing  description. 

It  is  now  seventy  years  since  the  religious  denomination 
worshiping  in  the  Walnut  street  church  had  its  first  exis- 
tence, and  as  there  is  not  now  living  one  of  the  members  of 
that  church,  when  first  formed,  we  may  conclude  that  by  the 
time  its  Centennial  anniversary  arrives  there  will  be  none 
of  even  the  early  "fathers"  or  "elders"  to  tell  of  "these  days 
of  old."  In  view  of  this  fact,  the  writer  and  compiler  of  this 
book,  who  is  probably  the  oldest  person  living  who  remem- 
bers any  of  its  infancy,  has  thought  that  a  short  history 
might  be  of  interest  to  some  of  its  present  and  future  mem- 


bers,  and  offers  this  little  volume  as  an  anniversary  greet- 
ing to  the  friends  and  members  of  Walnut  Street  Church 
with  the  hope  that  the  history  may  be  continued  by  some 
younger  person  in  future  years.  If  the  events  are  recorded 
as  they  transpire,  much  more  of  interest  will  be  preserved 
for  a  future  volume  than  will  be  found  in  this,  and  it  is 
hoped  that  in  ten  or  fifteen  years  from  this  time  some  one 
will  be  found  to  have  kept  a  record  of  the  events  and  pro- 
gress of  the  church  who  will  add  a  second  volume  of  the  his- 
tory of  Walnut  Street  Church. 

The  circumstances  surrounding  this  church  in  its  earli- 
est formation  throw  a  halo  about  that  event.  Those  who 
witnessed  its  early  struggles  for  existence  can  remember  too 
well  the  care  and  anxiety  that  filled  the  minds  and  hearts  of 
those  who  were  most  deeply  interested  in  its  welfare.  Re- 
ligion of  any  kind  had  seemed  to  be  a  secondary  consider- 
ation with  the  greater  part  of  the  then  sparse  population, 
their  greatest  efforts  being  required  to  minister  to  the  tem- 
poral wants  of  their  families.  Those  who  had  come  from 
other  places  where  they  had  enjoyed  religious  privileges  had 
brought  their  religion  with  them  and  made  use  of  it,  in  a 
private  way,  but  when  it  became  necessary  for  it  to  assume 
the  form  of  dollars  and  cents  for  the  public  use  it  took  on  a 
new  phase,  and  there  were  very  few  who  felt  that  the  money 
could  be  spared  to  pay  a  preacher  or  build  a  church. 

In  the  year  1821  the  Presbyterian  church  was  organized 
under  the  direction  of  Rev.  D.  C.  Banks,  who  was  at  that 
time  pastor  of  a  Presbyterian  church  in  Henderson,  Ky.  The 
membership  of  the  church  consisted  of  ten  or  twelve  per- 
sons, and  as  there  was  no  particular  place  of  worship  or 
stated  times  appointed  for  services  the  church  received  no 
additions  for  a  long  time.  There  were  occasional  meetings 
in  private  houses — sometimes  in  an  old  log  school  house  on 
the  lower  side  of  Locust  street,  between  First  and  Second, 
and  sometimes  in  a  small  log  house  located  on  First  street 
between  Oak  and  Mulberry,  which  is  not  now  standing;  it 
was  removed  many  years  ago  to  the  lot  of  Mr.  Wm.  Dean, 
corner  of  First  and  Mulberry  streets.  This  old  building  was 
erected  for  a  private  residence,  but  after  the  Presbyterian 
church  was  completed  it  was  fitted  up  for  a  Baptist  church. 
An  old  brick  Court  House,  painted  green,  with  no  floor  and 
with  "puncheon"  seats,  was  also  a  place  where  the  faithful 
assembled  to  hear  the  word  dispensed.  During  the  week, 
the  doors  being  left  open,  sheep  and  other  animals  sought 
shade,  or  refuge  from  inclement  weather  in  these  sacred 


precincts.  In  winter  time  the  luxury  of  a  fire  was  considered 
necessary,  which  was  built  in  a  fire-place  in  the  side  of  the 
waW,  and  the  audience  was  often  dissolved  in  tears,  weep- 
ing, not  so  much  on  account  of  their  own  sins  as  for  the 
shortcomings  of  the  brick  mason  who  built  the  miserable 
chimney,  which  sent  more  smoke  through  the  building  and 
audience  than  ascended  heavenward.  The  upper  part  of  this 
Court  House  was  afterward  finished  into  a  comfortable 
room  where  the  Episcopalians  held  service  and  where  fairs 
and  shows  of  diff'erent  kinds  were  also  held. 

The  "Apostolic  Succession"  of  the  present  day  would 
deem  it  sacrilegious  to  hold  service  in  a  place  desecrated  by 
ventriloquists,  conjurers  and  prestidigitators. 

A  small  brick  school  house  was  erected  on  the  public 
square  back  of  what  is  now  76  Main  street.  It  was  built 
the  same  year  that  the  first  church  was,  but  was  finished 
earlier  and  meetings  were  occasionally  held  in  this.  The 
Episcopal  church  was  organized  and  its  first  service  held  in 
this  school  house,  Bishop  Kemper  and  Rev.  Mr.  Johnston, 
of  Terre  Haute,  conducting  the  meeting. 

At  this  meeting  a  very  amusing  incident  took  place, 
which  was  probably  not  put  down  in  the  records  of  that 
time,  as  it  would  have  been  impossible  to  describe  it  as  it 
appeared.  There  had  been  no  arrangement  made  for  con- 
ducting the  singing  and  it  devolved  upon  the  only  two  men 
present  beside  the  Clergyman  and  Bishop  to  start  the  tune. 
Mr.  Ira  French,  who  was  the  only  Episcopalian  in  the  town, 
and  Mr.  Eperson,  of  the  Methodist  church,  were  the  ones 
who  conducted  the  singing.  Mr.  French  deferred  to  Mr. 
Eperson,  who  started  off  in  full  voice  on  a  short  meter  tune 
to  the  long  meter  hymn  announced.  It  went  very  well  till 
the  first  few  words  of  the  hymn  were  sung,  but  when  the 
tune  came  to  an  end  there  were  still  words  to  sing.  Of 
course  it  was  expected  they  would  stop  in  such  a  plight,  but 
nothing  daunted  they  held  on  to  the  last  note  and  finished 
the  line  and  continued  on  in  this  manner  till  three  verses 
were  sung.  No  one  laughed  and  no  one  cried,  but  all  laughed 
till  they  cried  when  they  got  out  of  the  school  house.  Mr. 
French,  on  being  asked  why  he  continued  singing  under  the 
circumstances,  replied  that  he  had  appointed  the  chorister 
and  he  was  bound  to  stand  by  him  until  the  last.  It  was  cer- 
tainly the  most  ludicrous  affair  that  ever  happened  at  an 
Episcopal  service. 

Besides  the  school  house  there  were  but  three  other 
brick  buildings  in  the  place  at  this  time,  the  Court  House 


and  a  two-story  brick  occupied  by  Mr.  Edward  Hopkins,  the 
father  of  Mrs.  Chas.  Viele ;  also  a  two-story  brick  on  Main 
street,  where  the  old  bank  now  stands.  It  was  occupied  by 
F.  E.  Goodsell,  postmaster,  and  afterward  by  Judge  Mat- 
thew Foster,  father  of  Hon.  John  W.  Foster,  of  Washing- 
ton, and  of  Messrs.  Alex.,  James  and  Will  Foster,  of  Evans- 
ville. 


CHAPTER  II. 


To  the  Rev.  Calvin  Butler,  the  people  of  Evansville  were 
largely  indebted  for  their  first  church  edifice.  Mr.  Butler 
belonged  to  the  Vincennes  Presbyteiy,  and  was  appointed  to 
preach  occasionally  in  this  place.  He  urged  the  building  of  a 
church,  and  though  there  was  but  a  feeble  response  at  first 
to  his  project,  with  his  characteristic  courage  and  energy, 
he  undertook  the  work  of  raising  the  money.  There  were, 
at  that  time,  only  about  three  hundred  inhabitants,  and  none 
of  them  wealthy.  The  citizens  who  were  most  interested  in 
building  the  church  were  Hon.  Wm.  Olmsted,  Messrs.  John 
Shanklin  and  Alanson  Warner,  whose  wives  were  prominent 
members  of  the  church,  Mr.  Luke  Wood  and  Amos  Clark, 
the  latter  a  leading  lawyer  at  that  time,  who  subsequently 
removed  to  Texas. 

We  find  among  documents  belonging  to  the  church,  one 
which  shows  that  on  April  20th,  1813,  a  subscription  list 
was  started,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy : 

Original  Building  Subscription 


The  undersigned,  being  desirous  to  have  a  Presbyterian 
Meeting  House  for  Evansville  and  its  vicinity,  promise  to 
pay  the  sums  severally  annexed  to  our  names,  to  trustees 
hereafter  to  be  appointed  by  the  subscribers.  Said  house  to 
be  30x50  feet,  of  brick,  with  its  walls  18  feet  in  height ;  to 
have  eight  windows  with  forty  lights  each  of  glass  10x12  in. ; 
with  two  doors  and  a  floor  jointed,  not  planed ;  and  a  good 
roof. 


Evansville,  Ind.,  April  20th,  1831. 


NAMES 


AM  T. 


John  Shanklm  .__$100.00 

A.  Warner  50.00 


NAMES 

Julius  Harrison  

Rich'd  Browning 

Alex.  Johnson 

Marcus  Sherwood  .... 

Archippus  Gillett 

Daniel  Tool,  in  tail- 
oring   

Jno.   W.   Duncan  ,  in 
leather  and  cash  .. 

Robert  Barnes 

Jno.  W.  Lilleston 

John  Ingle 

Levi  Price,  labor  

M.  D.  Robertson 

persons  is  now  living.) 


N.  Rowley 20.00 

Calvin  Butler 75.00 

Luke  Wood,  $25  cash 

$25  labor  50.00 

Wm.     Olmsted,     $25 

cash,  $25  labor  ....  50.00 

Amos  Clark  50.00 

David  Negley 25.00 

James  Lewis 25.00 

John  Mitchel 25.00 

E.  Hull,  in  labor 5.00 

Chas  Fullerton 5.00 

S.  Stevens,  saddlery..  25.00 
(Not  one  of  the  above 

In  pursuance  of  the  above  subscriptions,  a  meeting  was 
held,  which,  by  the  following  official  record,  organized  the 
enterprise,  by  election  of  Trustees. 

Election  of  Trustees. 


AM  T. 

5.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 

5.00 

20.00 
10.00 

3.00 
10.00 
10.00 

2.50 


At  a  meeting  of  the  subscribers  for  building  a  Presby- 
terian Meeting  House  in  the  town  of  Evansville,  at  the  house 
of  Alanson  Warner,  on  the  23rd  of  April,  for  the  purpose  of 
electing  Trustees,  in  pursuance  of  subscription,  at  which 
meeting  David  Negley  was  elected  chairman,  and  James 
Lewis,  secretary,  the  following  persons  were  chosen  Trus- 
tees: Amos  Clark,  Alanson  Warner,  and  William  Olmsted. 

David  Negley,  Chairman. 
James  Lewis,  Secretary. 

Mr.  Butler  had  interested  himself  so  much  in  the  church 
that  he  was  permitted  by  the  Presbytery  to  remove  his  place 
of  residence  to  Evansville,  and  the  above  trustees,  knowing 
that  he  intended  making  a  visit  to  the  east,  hoping  in  some 
way  to  obtain  help  for  building  the  church,  gave  him  the 
following  commission.  The  appeal  is  pathetic,  while  it  shows 
that  nothing  but  a  strong  desire  to  enjoy  the  comforts  and 
consolations  of  the  Gospel,  could  in  their  days  of  poverty, 
have  caused  them  to  give  of  their  scanty  means  to  such  a 
cause. 

10 


The  Commission. 


Rev.  Calvin  Butler,  Sir: — The  undersigned  having  been 
appointed  trustees  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  and  appro- 
priating funds  to  the  building  of  a  Presbyterian  Meeting 
House,  in  the  town  of  Evansville,  have  made  the  effort  to 
obtain  necessary  subscription  for  that  purpose,  but  are  sat- 
isfied we  will  not  be  able  to  obtain  sufficient  funds  in  this 
vicinity,  to  accomplish  the  object.  A  number  of  individuals 
have  shown  by  their  subscriptions,  the  deep  interest  they 
feel  in  the  accomplishment  of  so  important  a  matter.  This 
fact  we  believe  will  be  equally  obvious  to  others  as  to  our- 
selves, when  they  are  told  that  there  are  subscriptions  from 
fifty  to  seventy-five  dollars,  by  persons  not  worth  more  than 
from  five  to  eight  hundred  dollars;  yet,  with  all  the  exer- 
tion we  can  use,  we  believe  we  must  fail  in  the  undertaking, 
unless  through  your  agency,  we  can  procure  assistance  from 
some  eastern  friends.  Knowing  that  you  are  about  to  make 
a  journey  through  the  eastern  part  of  the  United  States,  we 
have  thought  proper  to  request  and  authorize  you  in  such 
manner,  and  at  such  times  and  places  as  you  may  think  prop- 
er, to  solicit  assistance  for  the  accomplishment  of  the  be- 
fore mentioned  object.  It  is  not  our  intention  to  build  an 
expensive  building,  but  one  that  will  cost  between  ^1,200  and 
$1,500;  but  even  for  this  small  sum  we  are  compelled  to  so- 
licit the  assistance  of  our  more  blessed  and  wealthy  friends. 
The  importance  of  a  place  of  public  worship  in  Evansville 
will  be  acknowledged  by  all  who  are  acquainted  with  its  sit- 
uation. At  this  time  there  is  not  a  convenient  or  comfort- 
able house  in  which  to  worship,  in  the  town  or  its  vicinity — 
not  even  a  good  school  house.  During  the  fall,  winter  and 
spring,  owing  to  the  uncertain  and  uncomfortable  place  of 
meeting,  it  may  emphatically  be  said,  that  the  cause  of  Zion 
mourns,  because  few  attend  her  solemn  feasts.  In  addition 
to  this,  the  importance  of  the  situation,  both  as  a  landing 
place  for  boats  upon  the  Ohio  River,  the  termination  of 
stages,  which  travel  up  and  down  the  Wabash  River,  renders 
this  place  a  more  central  and  suitable  one  for  such  a  build- 
ing than  others  between  the  falls  and  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio 
River.  As  there  is  no  other  place  of  equal  importance  in 
these  two  points  of  view,  we  therefore  hope,  if  it  is  consist- 
ent with  your  views,  that  you  wi'Il  use  your  endeavors  to 
procure  the  necessary  assistance,  and  any  donation  in  fur- 
therance of  our  designs,  will  be  thankfully  received  and 


faithfully  appropriated. 

Wm.  Olmstead, 
A.  Warner. 
Amos  Clark. 

Evansville,  Ind.,  April,  1831. 

The  funds  raised  by  Mr.  Butler  of  friends  in  the  East 
enabled  the  Trustees  to  go  forward  with  the  enterprise,  and 
the  manner  in  which  Mr.  Butler  and  the  donors  intended 
they  should  be  expended,  the  following  receipt  found  among 
the  church  papers  conclusively  shows: 

"Rec'd  of  Rev.  Calvin  Butler,  Three  Hundred  Dollars, 
which  we  pledge  ourselves  shall  be  sacredly  appropriated  for 
the  purpose  of  building  a  Presbyterian  Meeting  House  in  the 
town  of  Evansville. 

Amos  Clark, 

Wm.  Olmstead, 

A.  Warner, 
Trustees  of  the  Society. 

There  is  also  among  the  church  papers  a  title  bond 
given  by  John  B.  Stinson,  a  Baptist  preacher  in  which 
he  binds  himself  to  convey  to  these  Trustees  the  lots  upon 
which  the  church  was  built:  "In  and  for  the  consideration 
of  one  hundred  dollars,"  which  at  that  time  was  the  fair 
valuation  of  the  property. 

There  is  also  the  deed  itself,  by  which  John  B.  Stinson 
actually  conveys  the  property  to  said  Trustees,  stating  in  ex- 
act language:  "To  the  Trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
and  congregation." 

The  building  contracts  specify  that  the  church  to  be 
built  is  to  be  a  "Presbyterian  Meeting  House."  The  mason's 
contract,  dated  January  14th,  1832,  reads  as  follows : 

"It  is  agreed  between  Amos  Clark,  Wm.  Olmsted  and 
Alason  Warner,  Trustees  of  the  Evansville  Presbyterian 
church  and  congregation  of  the  one  part,  and  John  H.  Camp- 
bell of  the  other  part  as  follows,  to-wit :  The  said  Trustees 
agree  to  furnish  brick,  lime  and  sand  for  building  the  walls 
of  the  Presbyterian  Meeting  house,  in  Evansville." 

Another  contract  dated  April  17th  ,1832,  begins  as  fol- 
lows: 

"Article  of  agreement  between  James  Ring  of  the  one 
part,  and  the  Trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  their 
successors  on  the  other  part,  witnesseth  that  the  said  Ring 
agrees  to  frame  the  timbers  and  put  on  the  roof  of  the  Pres- 


byterian  Meeting  house  now  building  in  Evansville;"  and 
the  following  receipt  shows  that  the  brick  were  also  pro- 
vided : 

"Received  Evansville,  October  26th,  1831,  of  A.  War- 
ner, Trustee,  for  the  Evansville  Presbyterian  church  and 
congregation  in  Evansville,  one  hundred  and  seventy-seven 
dollars  sixty -two  and  a  half  cents,  for  which  I  have  delivered 
s'd  Warner  and  the  other  Trustees  a  kiln  of  brick,  in  the 
town  of  Evansville,  supposed  to  be  65  thousand,  and  bind 
myself  to  make  that  amount  up  by  the  first  day  of  May  next,, 
should  they  fall  short. 

Barney  Cody." 


13 


CHAPTER  III. 


From  the  foregoing  papers  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
church  was  fully  designed  to  be  a  Presbyterian  church. 
When  the  subscription  paper  was  actually  in  circulation, 
those  who  solicited  the  donation  were  instructed  by  the  Trus- 
tees to  say  that  when  there  were  no  Presbyterian  services 
in  the  church  the  use  of  it  by  any  other  Evangelical  denom- 
ination would  be  gladly  granted,  and  this  promise  was  ful- 
filled and  no  instance  can  be  referred  to  when  it  was  re- 
fused. 

For  six  years  after  its  erection  other  denominations 
did  use  it  more  than  the  one  to  whom  it  belonged,  as  after 
Mr.  Butler  left,  the  church  was  for  some  years  without  a 
regular  pastor.  This  gave  rise  to  the  idea,  with  some,  that 
it  was  a  Union  church,  which  was  never  the  case,  except 
through  courtesy  and  friendly  feeling  which  always  pre- 
vailed with  our  pastors  towards  other  denominations.  Here 
is  a  quotation  from  a  sermon  of  our  late,  weJl  beloved  pas- 
tor, McCarer,  in  speaking  on  the  subject:  "I  remember  the 
words  of  the  Master  when  he  said :  *A  new  commandment, 
give  I  unto  you  that  ye  love  one  another.'  I  wish  to  dwell  in 
unity  with  all  my  brethren  in  Christ.  And  I  say  this  more 
cordially,  because  in  calling  to  remembrance  the  former  time 
there  arise  before  my  vision  scenes  of  blessed  Christian  in- 
tercourse, and  I  love  above  any  mere  denominationalism, 
all  who  bear  the  image  of  the  Savior,  and  are  thus  members 
of  one  spiritual  body." 

In  speaking  of  the  brethren  who  had  frequently  occu- 
pied the  pulpit  of  his  church,  he  said :  "Within  these  walls 
our  Methodist  brethren  often  met,  and  we  mingled  with 
them  our  sacrifice  of  praise  and  rejoicing." 

The  venerable  Father  WTieeler,  whom  many  still  re- 
member, also  Father  Parrett,  both  godly  men,  whom  every- 
one honored,  had  their  appointments  for  months  together  in 
this  house  of  worship.  These  two  good  men  were  both  Eng- 
lish, with  a  strong  Yorkshire  accent.  Some  persons  will  yet 
remember  the  deep,  sonorous  tones  of  Father  Wheeler's 

14 


voice  when  he  prayed,  as  he  never  forgot  to:  "Hopen  now 
thy  beneficent,  and,  hand  pour  (pronounced  power)  out  thy 
blessings  hupon  hus."  His  manner  was  so  impressive,  that 
one  felt  the  real  presence  of  Him  whom  he  addressed.  He 
frequently  spoke  of  the  Almighty  as  the  great  "High  Ham." 
His  preaching  was  sound  and  spiritual,  and  his  memory  is 
a  precious  boon. 

The  peaceful  and  benign  face  of  Father  Parrett  comes 
before  me  as  he  humbly  and  modestly  rose  in  the  pulpit, 
and  in  the  same  low  tone  proceeded  to  read  his  text,  and  give 
the  heads  and  divisions  of  his  subject.  As  he  proceeded,  he 
became  more  enthusiastic,  and  in  the  close  of  his  semion 
was  truly  eloquent.  His  words  were  of  peace  and  good  will 
to  all. 

Then  there  were  the  two  Baptist  brothers,  John  B.  and 
Benoni  Stinson.  The  voice  of  the  latter,  one  heard,  would 
never  be  forgotten.  They  were  good  men,  but  persons  of 
whom  it  might  sometimes  be  said,  that  they  had  more  reli- 
gion than  discretion.  They  were  uneducated  sons  of  toil, 
and  the  vigorous  efforts  put  forth  through  the  week  to  fell 
the  trees  and  till  the  soil,  extended  into  the  services  of  Sab- 
bath, and  while  the  words  of  truth  and  righteousness  were 
delivered  in  stentorian  voice,  after  the  manner  of  many  of 
the  preachers  of  that  day,  the  gestures  were  most  expressive. 
The  bible  was  taken  up  and  laid  down  with  great  force,  and 
the  pulpit  pounded  with  excessive  vehemence,  which  gave 
an  impressiveness  to  their  sermons,  which,  to  those  accust- 
omed to  such  preaching,  was  relished  and  approved.  Their 
religion  was  genuine,  no  doubt,  for  they  were  highly  respect- 
ed in  the  community.  Devout  ministers  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  also  preached  in  the  "Church  on  the 
Hill,"  as  it  was  called,  and  held  their  stated  congregational 
meetings  there.  Rev.  Benjamin  Hall,  one  of  their  best 
preachers,  was  always  welcomed  by  all  denominations  who 
came  to  that  church  to  hear  him. 

The  building  and  completion  of  a  church  in  those  days, 
was  a  great  event,  and  the  congregation  was  as  proud  and 
happy  as  they  held  their  first  service  in  this  humble  edifice, 
as  those  who  now  worship  under  frescoed  ceilings,  where 
the  light  through  memorial  and  stained  glass  windows 
shines  upon  them. 


15 


CHAPTER  IV. 


The  Church  on  the  Hill  stood  on  the  highest  elevation 
in  or  about  the  place,  being  surrounded  with  forest  trees, 
and  as  much  of  the  land  was  low,  a  good  part  of  the  year 
found  the  water  standing  in  pools  in  all  directions;  the 
ground  was  just  marsh  most  of  the  time.  Where  Strouse  & 
Bros,  building  on  Second  Street  now  stands,  was  the  site  of 
the  church,  which  can  scarcely  be  realized,  as  the  hill  has 
disappeared  in  the  grading  of  the  streets.  It  was  of  modest 
dimensions,  30x50  feet,  without  the  least  attempt  at  orna- 
mentation, and  cost  $1,300.  The  first  set  of  seats  were  of 
plank  with  part  of  the  bark  left  on  them,  smoothed  off  on 
one  side  and  without  backs ;  large  hickory  sticks  being  driv- 
en in  for  legs.  After  a  while  these  were  superseded  by  plain 
pine  seats,  also  without  backs.  The  pulpit  was  a  dry  goods 
box  covered  with  green  baire.  Subsequently  seats  with 
backs  were  introduced  and  a  plain  oblong  pulpit  took  the 
place  of  the  dry  goods  box.  It  was  paneled  and  painted 
white,  and  so  high  that  the  good  man  who  addressed  the 
congregation  was  completely  obscured  from  view  when  he 
took  his  seat,  and  his  meditations  could  not  be  disturbed  by 
the  eyes  of  anyone  being  upon  him.  When  he  rose  up  in 
the  pulpit  he  made  a  sort  of  a  "Jack-in-the-box"  appear- 
ance, or,  as  one  of  the  pastors  said,  *'he  seemed  to  be  sending 
forth  missiles  of  the  Gospel  from  a  stronger  frontier  block 
house,"  but  after  a  time  this  pulpit  was  relieved  from  duty, 
and  one  more  sightly  filled  its  place.  The  edifice  was  light- 
ed with  tallow  candles  placed  in  an  arrangement  made  by 
the  tinner,  the  back  of  which  answered  as  a  reflector,  and 
one  was  hung  at  each  side  of  the  large  windows,  where  the 
tallow  dripped  gracefully  upon  the  window  sill,  where  per- 
sons leaned  their  elbows  during  service  and  found  their 
clothing  ruined  when  they  went  home.  The  choir  occupied 
the  long  seats  by  the  side  of  the  pulpit. 

The  good  people  of  New  England  had  responded  to  the 
call  for  aid,  and  those  who  had  no  money  to  give,  gave  some 
article  which  they  considered  a  luxury,  that  they  could  do 


without.  Articles  of  jewelry  and  bead  reticules,  which  had 
just  come  into  style,  costing  from  $5  to  $12,  were  cheerfully 
given  by  conscientious  women  and  disposed  of  for  money  on 
Mr.  Butler's  return.  One  of  these  reticules  is  still  in  exist- 
ence. The  whole  amount  collected  in  the  East  was  $300,00, 
which  with  the  sum  of  the  subscriptions  was  not  sufficient 
to  clear  the  church  of  debt,  and  then  as  now  the  women  came 
to  the  rescue  and  through  the  instrumentality  of  sewing  so- 
cieties and  fairs  the  money  was  raised  by  which  the  debt 
was  paid.  The  sewing  society  was  a  pleasant  feature  of 
those  days.  The  gentlemen  became  members  and  paid  their 
initiation  fee,  some  in  money,  others  in  articles  out  of  their 
stores.  Mr.  Willard  Carpenter  paid  his  in  ribbon,  and  there 
was  no  end  to  the  pin-cushions,  needle-books,  fancy  aprons, 
night-caps  and  genuine  good  articles  that  were  sold  at  the 
fairs.  Ready  made  articles  of  clothing  were  kept  always  on 
hand  for  sale  at  any  time,  which  was  a  great  convenience 
and  furnished  quite  a  revenue.  The  society  was  also  a  be- 
nevolent organization.  If  any  one  was  ill  or  had  sickness 
in  their  family  the  ladies  met  and  sewed  for  them,  making 
up  their  family  clothing  for  the  season,  and  if  any  sick  or 
destitute  person  came  within  the  knowledge  of  the  society, 
goods  were  bought  and  made  up  for  their  families.  The  so- 
ciety, while  helping  to  pay  the  debt  on  the  church,  assisting 
the  poor  and  keeping  up  the  current  expenses  of  the  church, 
did  not  forget  the  Missionary  cause,  and  in  1837  reached  the 
point  of  being  able  to  send  $30.00  to  the  American  Board  of 
Foreign  Missions,  and  in  1839  it  sent  $37.50.  In  1840  the 
sum  contributed  was  $84.94  for  which  thanks  were  received 
and  an  earnest  appeal  for  a  continuance  of  the  interest  in 
the  cause.  But  the  calls  at  home  next  claimed  our  attention 
and  the  contributions  to  that  cause  as  a  society  ceased. 

The  Episcopailians,  who  had  heretofore  been  members 
of  the  society,  formed  one  of  their  own  and  the  funds  on 
hand  at  the  time  were  divided  with  them. 

These  were  the  days  of  small  things.  There  was  very 
little  money  in  the  country  at  that  time.  Trade  was  carried 
on  in  a  great  measure  by  barter.  While  no  one  suffered 
from  want,  the  "picayunes"  were  very  scarce,  and  people 
paid  their  debts  in  what  they  had,  if  it  happened  to  be  any- 
thing the  creditor  needed  or  could  dispose  of  to  advantage. 
For  instance,  a  person  would  take  his  pay  in  hoop-iron,  sell 
it  for  churns  and  swap  the  churns  for  groceries.  Every  one 
had  his  own  garden  and  raised  his  own  fowls  and  meat,  and 
then  families  who  raised  more  vegetables,  poultry  and  grain 

17 


or  had  more  butter  or  lard  than  they  could  use,  would  join 
together  and  load  a  flat-boat  for  New  Orleans,  and  after  a 
long,  tedious  voyage  of  the  boat  they  would  have  coffee,  su- 
gar and  molasses  returned  to  them  for  what  they  had  sent. 
A  comfortable  living  was  thus  secured,  although  luxuries 
were  scarce. 

The  most  serious  inconvenience  the  people  sufl'ered  was 
the  want  of  good  water,  the  river  water  being  all  that  could 
be  obtained  till  1835,  when  the  first  cistern  was  built  by  Mr. 
Ira  French,  who  had  bought  the  patent-right  to  build  cis- 
terns in  this  county.  The  cistern  was  built  for  Mr.  John 
Shanklin  and  held  200  barrels  of  water,  which  was  consider- 
ed the  greatest  luxury  ever  known  in  the  place. 

Before  this  time  the  water  for  drinking  and  cooking 
purposes  was  kept  in  jars  in  the  cedlar  to  cool  and  settle. 
No  ice  or  beer  was  to  be  had  then  either,  and  no  one  felt 
the  need  of  the  latter. 

These  last  few  items  are  mentioned  to  show  the  great 
changes  that  have  taken  place  in  Evansville  since  that  time, 
also  why  it  seemed  a  much  greater  undertaking  to  build  a 
church  then  than  it  does  now.  One  of  our  citizens  gives 
more  now  as  one  subscription  than  the  whole  cost  of  this 
first  Presbyterian  Church. 


CHAPTER  V. 


REV.  CALVIN  BUTLER. 
The  first  Pastor  of  the  First  Church  in  Evansville. 

In  Chester,  Pt.,  on  August  23d,  1827,  the  Rev.  Calvin 
Butler  was  married  to  Miss  Malvina  French,  and  soon  after 
started  as  a  missionary  to  a  home  in  the  West.  Mr.  Butler 
had  finished  a  College  course  at  Middlebury,  Vt.,  and  gradu- 
ated in  Theology  at  Andover,  Mass.,  Thedogical  Seminary. 
He  was  a  thorough  scholar,  reading  and  translating  seven 
different  languages,  for  which  he  found  but  little  use  in  this 
new  country,  where  even  the  English  language,  as  then  spo- 
ken in  this  region,  was  almost  a  new  dialect  to  an  educated 
person.  He  was  a  man  of  uncommon  energy  and  ability  to 
surmount  obstacles.  When  we  think  of  the  hardships  en- 
dured by  the  early  ministers  in  the  West,  the  anxiety  they 
must  have  suffered,  and  compare  their  lives  with  those  of 
the  more  fortunate  ministers  of  the  present  day,  we  may 
truly  think  of  the  latter  that  "their  lines  have  fallen  to  them 
in  pheasant  places,"  and  that- they  are  "carried  to  the  skies 
on  flowery  beds  of  ease." 

At  the  time  Mr.  Butler  came  to  the  West  there  was  no 
public  conveyance  and  no  regular  stage  routes  in  the  direc- 
tion he  wished  to  come,  so  he  and  his  wife  were  obliged  to 
make  the  journey  in  a  carriage  of  their  own,  bringing  their 
baggage  with  them,  which  consisted  of  only  their  clothing 
and  a  library  of  valuable  books,  which,  through  much  tribu- 
lation, they  managed  to  bring  safely.  The  journey  occupied 
nine  weeks  and  some  parts  of  it  was  through  forests  where 
the  trees  were  only  blazed  to  show  the  way,  as  there  was 
not  travel  enough  to  make  a  road,  and  often  they  were  oblig- 
ed to  hew  their  way  through  the  forests  where  the  trees 
had  been  blown  down  across  the  road,  which  rendered  it 
impassable.  Reared  amid  the  comforts  and  luxuries  of  a 
New  England  home,  the  wife  of  this  missionary  had  known 
nothing  of  hardships,  but  bravely  she  bore  the  trip.  She 
was  known  to  say  that  she  shed  tears  but  once  in  all  these 

19 


Rev.  Calvin  Butler. 


20 


long  nine  weeks,  which  the  journey  occupied,  and  that  was 
once  when  her  husband  was  chopping  the  way  through  the 
woods.  It  was  growing  late  and  the  fear  of  not  reaching  a 
place  of  safety  before  dark  made  her  nervous,  as  at  that 
time,  the  forests  were  not  safe  from  wild  beasts. 

The  field  of  labor  to  which  Mr.  Butler  was  appointed 
on  his  first  coming  to  the  West  comprised  the  two  towns 
of  Vincennes  and  Princeton,  preaching  alternately  every 
two  weeks  at  one  of  these  places.  His  residence  being  at 
Princeton  he  was  obliged  to  make  the  trip  to  Vincennes  on 
horseback  through  all  kinds  of  bad  weather  and  bad  roads 
such  as  are  found  in  new  countries.  He  belonged  to  the  Vin- 
cennes Presbytery,  and  after  preaching  for  three  years  in 
the  above  named  places  he  was  appointed  by  that  body  to 
preach  in  Evansville,  to  which  place  he  removed  with  his 
family.  He  bought  a  small  tract  of  land,  about  twelve  acres, 
one  mile  from  the  center  of  town  on  the  Princeton  road, 
where  the  first  County  asylum  was  afterward  built,  and 
with  his  own  hands,  almost  entirely,  he  erected  for  himself 
a  comfortable  house.  With  cultivating  his  few  acres  of  land, 
keeping  his  own  cow  and  poultry  he  managed  with  a  very 
small  salary  from  the  Missionary  society  and  very  slim  con- 
tributions from  the  people,  to  make  a  comfortable  living. 

Mr.  Butler  seemed  particularly  adapted  to  the  position 
in  the  new  country,  of  establishing  and  encouraging  church- 
es in  whatever  new  field  he  labored.  He  was  cheerful  and 
hopeful  under  all  discouragements  that  came  in  his  way. 
He  was  never  known  to  make  an  engagement  that  was  not 
promptly  fulfilled,  and  he  spent  hours  in  labor  while  others 
were  taking  their  ease.  Industrious  habits  and  punctual- 
ity were  strong  features  in  his  character.  He  educated  one 
of  his  sons  at  Crawfordsville  College,  Hon.  John  M.  Butler, 
of  Indianapolis.  He  had  also  another  son,  Anson  R.  Butler, 
who  lives  in  De  Witt,  Iowa. 

In  1834  Mr.  Butler  was  appointed  to  take  charge  of 
a  church  at  Washington,  Ind.,  to  which  place  he  removed, 
and  to  his  clerical  duties  he  added  thoseof  a  school  he  es- 
tablished, which  at  that  time  was  considered  the  best  in  the 
state.  He  was  much  beloved  and  respected  by  his  church 
and  congregation.  A  few  years  later  he  moved  to  Boon- 
ville,  Warrick  County,  Indiana,  where  he  also  did  a  good 
work.  From  this  place  his  excellent  and  lovely  wife  was 
called  to  a  better  home.  Her  life  had  been  all  that  a  Chris- 
tian's should  be,  kind  and  gentle,  desiring  more  the  comfort 
and  pleasure  of  those  around  her  than  her  own,  visiting  the 

21 


sick,  bringing  words  of  consolation  to  the  afflicted,  cheering 
every  one  with  her  presence  wherever  she  went ;  a  pure  and 
useful  life  was  exchanged  for  a  blessed  immortality. 

Mr.  Butler,  in  due  course  of  time,  formed  a  union  with 
another  excellent  woman.  Miss  Catherine  Smith,  of  Boon- 
ville,  and  with  his  family  removed  again  to  a  place  without 
a  church,  a  small  town  not  far  from  St.  Louis,  where  his  last 
work  was  to  assist  in  establishing  a  church.  After  ten  more 
years  of  faithful  and  successful  service  he  passed  to  his  re- 
ward. 

REV.  MR.  M'AFEE. 

After  the  year  1834  the  church  enjoyed,  temporarily, 
the  preaching  of  Rev.  Mr.  McAfee,  who  was  at  the  same 
time  laboring  in  Henderson,  preaching  there  alternately 
every  two  weeks.  He  was  a  young  man  who  had  just  en- 
tered the  ministry.  He  preached  excellent  sermons,  full  of 
fire  and  pathos.  Life  was  fresh  and  bright  to  him  and  the 
way  to  peace  and  happiness  seemed  easy  and  delightful.  The 
experience  of  after  years  may  have  made  a  change  in  his 
views.  He  may  have  found  that  there  were  obstacles  in  the 
way  of  a  perfect  life  of  which  he  had  never  dreamed,  and 
perhaps  he  found  some  system  of  theology  by  which  these 
obstacles  could  be  overcome.  But  a  knowledge  of  his  his- 
tory closed  when  his  labors  here  ended.  He  seemed  a  de- 
vout Christian,  was  a  pleasant  social  companion  and  was 
highly  esteemed  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  His  home 
was  Elkton,  Ky.,  and  all  efforts  to  hear  from  him  have 
proven  futile.  He  has  probably  fulfilled  his  life's  mission 
and  "rests  from  his  labors."  More  than  fifty  years  have 
elapsed  since  he  was  in  Evansville  and  it  is  doubtful  if  any- 
one but  the  writer  now  remembers  him.  Will  any  one  re- 
member those  of  us  who  are  now  here,  fifty  years  hence? 


22 


CHAPTER  VI. 


It  will  give  the  reader  great  pleasure  to  find  an  account 
of  the  pastorate  of  the  second  minister  of  this  church  in 
his  own  words.  The  days  of  his  life  having  been  prolonged 
more  than  a  decade  past  the  "three-score  years  and  ten," 
being  at  this  time  82  years  of  age,  a  hearty,  well  preserved 
man,  vigorous  in  intellect  and  a  living  example  of  one  who 
has  kept  the  commands  of  God,  to  whom  the  promise  was 
given,  "that  thy  days  may  be  long  upon  the  land  which  the 
Lord  thy  God  hath  given  thee." 


REV.  JEREMIAH  R.  BARNES. 

"In  the  fall  of  1836  I  landed  with  my  wife  in  Evans- 
ville,  to  spend  the  Sabbath,  not  knowing  any  one  or  whether 
we  should  find  preaching  there.  We  were  on  our  way  to 
Illinois  to  meet  the  expectations  of  a  friend  and  supply  an 
open  field  there.  I  preached  on  the  Sabbath  in  the  little 
brick  church  on  the  only  hill  in  Evansville,  about  fifteen 
feet  above  the  level,  and  then  the  only  house  of  worship 
in  the  place,  and  indeed  the  only  one  nearer  than  Princeton, 
a  distance  of  twenty  miles.  The  most  notable  thing  about 
this  little  church  was  the  largeness  of  its  windows,  as  if  the 
light  of  the  sun  and  the  free  breezes  were  to  be  its  first  if 
not  its  best  endowment.  The  pulpit  was  a  large  dry  goods 
box,  behind  which  I  stood;  the  seats  without  cushions  and 
with  only  a  stay  for  the  shoulders,  which  were  better  cal- 
culated to  keep  the  hearers  awake  than  the  preachers  voice. 
The  singing  was  more  sincere  and  devout  than  artistic. 
But  the  people  seemed  bright  and  interested  in  my  sermon 
and  met  me  at  the  close  of  the  services  with  cordiality  and 
we  were  soon  no  longer  strangers.  Learning  who  we  were 
and  that  we  had  come  West  to  grow  up  with  the  people  and 
do  good  as  we  found  opportunity,  they  urged  us  to  cast  in 
our  lot  with  them.  The  sisters  soon  gathered  around  my 
wife  and  found  that  she  had  to  a  large  extent  the  chief 
glory  of  womanhood,  the  power  to  make  warm  friends  and 


^■""'^■•W'^SfM^^^ 


Rev.  Jeremiah  R.  Barnes,  in  1836. 


24 


keep  them.  The  simple  sincerely  of  her  piety,  the  largeness 
of  her  faith,  together  with  her  bright  intelligence  gained 
the  confidence  and  co-operation  of  all. 

"The  place  at  that  time  was  indulging  in  large  expec- 
tations of  growth  and  prosperity  from  the  canal  which  was 
in  progress  and  was  to  terminate  there.  The  population  at 
that  date  was  supposed  to  be  something  over  2,000.  The 
back  country  was  good,  heavily  timbered  but  not  well  set- 
tled. 

"There  seemed  to  be  lawyers  and  doctors  enough  for  a 
large  city,  their  range  for  practice  was  wide  and  all  seemed 
to  have  enough  to  do,  the  roads  in  winter  anything  but  in- 
viting. My  first  knowledge  of  corduroy  roads  was  gained 
from  one  leading  to  Stringtown,  which  place  had  the  ad- 
vantage of  being  on  a  hill  and  not  in  a  valley,  but  not  out 
of  the  mud,  as  the  clay  sub-soil  found  its  way  easily  on  top 
in  wet  weather  and  made  the  bootblack  a  desirable  insti- 
tution. 

"The  cause  of  education  was  mostly  in  the  hands  of  the 
good  Elder  Chute,  who  was  for  some  years  the  chief,  if  not 
the  only  pedagogue.  I  was  for  some  time  the  only  resident 
minister  except  Brother  Parrett  and  Brother  Wheeler,  lo- 
cal Methodist  preachers,  good  Englishmen  who  did  valu- 
able service  in  the  early  days.  The  little  brick  church  had 
now  become  the  gathering  place  for  all  denominations,  who 
took  turns  in  edifying  the  people.  Brother  Hunter,  a  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  minister  was  known  as  the  chief  "Son 
of  Thunder,"  and  when  he  came  all  felt  the  need  of  larger 
quarters.  He  was  a  grand  camp  meeting  preacher  and 
made  the  woods  resound. 

"It  was  not  long  before  other  denominations  found 
places  for  regular  worship  and  left  us  in  full  possession  of 
the  church.  'Old  Aunt  Jenny,'  a  slave  from  Virginia,  was 
the  sexton  and  the  only  colored  person  in  the  place.  She 
did  very  well,  only  when  the  long  stove  pipe  swayed  out  of 
line  and  sprung  a  leak  then  her  white  eyes  and  teeth  showed 
her  in  trouble.  The  pulpit  that  followed  the  dry  goods  box 
was  a  primitive  model  and  would  bear  all  the  pounding  that 
Brother  Hunter  could  give  it  and  afforded  a  good  deal  of 
"stomping"  ground.  The  Sunday  school,  after  the  varied 
experiences  common  to  new  places,  fell  into  the  hands  of 
Brother  Conrad  Baker,  and  prospered  fairly  well. 

"About  the  time  of  my  coming  to  Evansville  the  strife 
and  controversies  between  the  old  and  new  school  in  the 
Presbyterian  church  were  at  their  height.  As  I  had  just 
come  from  New  Haven  I  was  suspected  of  the  New  School 

25 


heresy.  Some  of  the  fathers  in  the  Vincennes  Presbytery 
took  sides  against  me,  and  without  any  trial  of  my  opinions, 
declared  the  pulpit  at  Evansville  vacant  and  sent  a  brother 
to  notify  the  church  and  order  the  trustees  to  turn  me  out. 
He  came,  was  politely  treated  and  when  he  had  fulfilled  his 
mission  he  left.  The  earthquake  only  induced  a  little  smoke 
which  soon  passed  away.  The  older  members,  those  who 
had  built  the  church  and  paid  all  that  had  been  paid  on  it, 
still  declared  me  their  pastor — that  my  dismissal  had  been 
without  a  hearing  and  unconstitutional  and  that  no  change 
should  be  made,  and  directed  the  sexton  to  open  the  doors 
and  I  preached  as  usual.  Whatever  belief  or  doctrine  I 
held  to  be  true,  the  Trustees  and  Elders  agreed  that  they 
corresponded  with  theirs,  and  the  church  was  declared  New 
School. 

"The  next  season  I  went  to  the  Salem  Presbytery  and 
was  cordially  received,  and  they  sent  a  brother  to  install  me 
in  1838.  There  were  a  few  persons  who  had  only  been  in 
the  place  a  short  time  and  joined  the  church,  who  held  what 
were  called  Old  School  views  who  were  dissatisfied  with  the 
state  of  things,  and  they  in  due  time  secured  an  organiza- 
tion of  their  own,  which  seemed  at  the  time  quite  unneces- 
sary, but  the  rapid  growth  of  the  city  has  developed  the 
fact  that  their  services  have  been  needed  and  that  they  have 
accomplished  more  good  work  than  could  have  been  done  by 
one  church  alone  however  united.  Since  the  action  of  the 
General  Assembly  we  rejoice  to  feel  that  the  chasm  has  dis- 
appeared across  which  the  Old  and  New  School  shook  hands. 
I  had  not  been  long  in  the  city  before  I  discovered  many 
evidences  that  the  laws  of  social  morality  had  not  been 
strictly  regarded.  The  socialism  and  infidelity  at  New  Har- 
mony had  scattered  the  seeds  of  evil  like  thistle  down  into 
every  neighborhood,  and  many  of  the  most  influential  men 
of  the  region  had  given  their  example  on  the  wrong  side. 
I  felt  that  the  Gospel  of  the  Seventh  commandment  was 
eminently  needed  to  save  the  foundations  of  society  and  all 
the  best  interests  of  Christian  civilization.  I  gave  previous 
notice  that  I  would  preach  on  the  subject.  Many  of  my 
friends  feared  that  I  was  stepping  on  a  magazine  that 
would  let  me  down  and  destroy  my  influence.  The  house 
was  crowded,  but  the  women  of  the  church  were  none  of 
them  present.  The  worst  element  of  the  place  made  a  re- 
quest that  I  would  preach  the  same  sermon  again  the  next 
Sabbath,  and  had  planned  to  break  up  the  meeting. 

"I  consented  to  preach.  I  went  to  some  of  the  most  in- 
fluential ladies  and  told  them  the  cause  was  their  cause  and 

26 


that  I  needed  their  presence  and  sanction.  A  goodly  num- 
ber came  the  next  Sabbath,  and  to  a  full  house  I  repeated 
all  I  had  said  before  and  with  greater  force.  There  was  not 
a  ripple  of  disturbance,  but  profound  attention  to  the  end. 
Some  were  asked  why  they  did  not  carry  out  their  pro- 
gramme. They  said  "they  did  not  see  any  place  where  they 
could  begin."  One  of  my  best  friends,  a  graduate  of  Yale 
College,  said  that  if  President  Dwight  were  present  to 
preach  on  such  a  subject  he  might  do  some  good,  but  for  a 
young  man  just  from  the  Seminary  it  was  a  hazardous  un- 
dertaking. But  I  concluded  that  as  Dr.  Dwight  was  not 
there  and  I  was,  duty  called  me  to  do  the  best  I  could.  I 
felt  that  I  could  appeal  safely  to  men  who  had  enjoyed  early 
religious  training  in  other  lands  and  to  the  scions  of  old  Pu- 
ritan stock.  I  referred  them  to  the  dear  homes  that  gave 
them  birth,  to  protect  the  sacred  honor  of  their  family  and 
give  their  influence  and  practice  in  favor  of  all  that  is  noble 
and  pure  in  life.  I  have  always  rejoiced  that  I  had  the 
faithfulness  to  speak  the  right  word  at  the  right  time  leav- 
ing all  the  results  with  God,  which  were,  as  far  as  known, 
very  satisfactory.  Other  ministers  echoed  the  trumpet  I 
had  sounded,  and  the  best  public  opinion  was  henceforth  on 
the  side  of  social  virtue. 

"After  our  Methodist  brethren  had  completed  their 
church,  the  noted  John  Newland  Maffit  came  and  held  a  re- 
vival meeting,  and  by  his  eloquence  gathered  into  their  fold 
over  two  hundred,  and  in  two  years  time  there  were  but  two 
persons  who  remained  in  the  church,  all  having  joined  on 
probation,  giving  evidence  of  being  true  Christians  by  a  bet- 
ter life,  and  it  was  seen  that  these  persons  had  been  regular 
attendants  on  divine  worship  and  under  bible  instruction. 
The  Cumberland  brethern  were  devoted  and  full  of  zeal, 
and  by  their  camp  meetings  and  occassional  preaching  in 
town  and  at  other  places,  had  a  measure  of  success. 

"Brother  Laman  of  the  Episcopal  church  was  a  devoted 
Christian  and  soon  succeeded  in  securing  a  good  church  and 
congregation.  As  population  increased  the  cause  of  educa- 
tion became  more  important.  Several  good  teachers  had 
met  with  success.  As  my  second  wife  had  been  a  successful 
teacher  in  a  Seminary,  I  was  encouraged  to  build  a  house 
which  would  accomodate  my  little  family  and  aff'ord  room 
for  a  school  for  young  ladies.  This  was  done,  and  my  pupils 
will  remember  through  life  the  gentle  ways  of  their  teacher, 
her  earnest  morals  and  religious  instructions.  It  was  a  dif- 
ficult matter  for  her  to  take  the  place  of  the  first  Mrs. 
Barnes  in  the  hearts  of  the  people,  but  she  did  so  and 
formed  many  life  long  friendships  that  will  be  renewed  and 


grow  brighter  in  heaven. 

"In  time  Public  schools  were  established  which  made 
private  enterprise  less  important  except  in  the  depart- 
ments of  higher  education  for  which  the  Colleges  and  Sem- 
inaries of  the  land  provide.  It  was  always  gratifying  to  us 
to  feel  that  we  were  sowing  the  seed  and  laying  foundations 
in  our  new  and  great  country  that  God  would  sooner  or  later 
employ  for  His  own  glory  and  the  triumph  of  his  Kingdom. 
We  had  all  the  compensation  we  expected  in  the  days  of 
comparitively  small  things.  I  was  settled  on  a  salary  of 
$600,  which,  though  not  fully  paid,  proved  enough  with 
hard  work  and  economy  to  meet  our  necessities  and  left 
some  property  we  bought  at  a  low  figure,  which  at  the  end 
of  the  nine  years,  when  we  left  Evansville,  had  risen  much 
in  value.  I  have  been  rejoiced  to  hear  from  time  to  time  of 
the  Church,  where  I  began  my  first  labors,  and  of  the 
growth  of  the  city.  Very  few  of  my  early  friends  and  fellow 
-workers  are  left  to  thank  God  for  what  they  see  and  to 
pray  for  greater  things  to  come.  But,  Oh,  the  joy  when  we 
shall  join  the  dear  ones  gone  before!  'and  see  how  the  little 
one  has  become  a  thousand  and  a  small  one  a  strong  na- 
tion.' " 


The  above  account  of  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  J.  R. 
Barnes  is  full  and  preserves  a  record  of  some  of  the  most 
important  events  that  ever  occured  in  the  Church.  His  min- 
istry was  very  successful,  turning  the  tide  of  public  opinion 
decidedly  against  vice  in  all  its  forms  and  giving  it  a  check 
it  had  never  before  received.  Card  playing  and  drinking 
had  no  longer  any  open  defenders  among  those  who  indulged 
in  these  practices,  and  people  were  willing  to  listen  to  ser- 
mons against  these  evils. 

Mr.  Barnes  was  born  in  Southhampton,  Conn.,  and  was 
a  graduate  of  Yale  College,  and  studied  for  the  ministry  at 
the  same  College.  Mrs.  Barnes,  who  came  to  Evansville 
with  her  husband,  lived  only  about  a  year  after  coming  to 
the  place  and  left  one  son,  Charles  S.  Barnes,  now  of  Chica- 
go, partner  in  the  well  known  publishing  house  of  A.  S. 
Barnes  &  Co. 

All  that  Mr.  Barnes  says  of  his  wife  is  true,  and  much 
more  that  is  good  might  be  said.  As  she  is  remembered,  she 
was  a  perfect  type  of  excellence,  combining  all  the  good 
qualities  of  her  who  "sat  at  Jesus'  feet,"  with  the  best  traits 
of  the  sister  "who  was  careful  about  many  things,"  though 
the  cares  of  life  never  gave  her  any  trouble — the  privations 


and  inconveniences  of  a  new  country  never  disturbed  her 
placid  and  happy  disposition.  Her  duties,  of  which  she  had 
many,  were  all  dilligently  performed  and  seemed  a  pleasure 
to  her.  Her  religion  was  of  an  exalted  kind,  she  seemed  to 
find  Heaven  upon  earth,  every  act  of  her  life  savored  of 
grace,  and  she  was  well  prepared  for  the  Heavenly  home  to 
which  she  was  so  soon  to  be  called. 

The  building  occupied  as  a  Seminary  which  Mr.  Barnes 
built,  stood  on  the  corner  of  Chestnut  and  Third,  and  is  now 
occupied  by  Mrs.  Gillison  Maghee. 

Leaving  Evansville,  Mr.  Barnes,  beloved  and  respect- 
ed by  all  who  knew  him,  sought  another  field  of  labor  in 
Minnesota,  where  he  organized  several  churches  and  was  al- 
so influential  in  establishing  a  College  under  the  patronage 
of  a  church  he  founded. 

After  living  twenty-six  years  in  Minnesota  he  retired 
from  active  service  and  made  his  home  in  Marrietta,  Ohio, 
with  his  relatives  and  friends.  At  this  place  he  celebrated 
his  Golden  wedding.  Shortly  after  he  was  bereaved  of  his 
excellent  companion,  and  in  1880  returned  to  Evansville  and 
married  one  of  his  former  parishioners,  Mrs.  Eliz.  T.  Drew, 
who  had  been  for  many  years  a  prominent  and  honored 
member  of  Walnut  Street  Church.  There  is  something  a 
little  romantic  and  also  pathetic  in  the  union  of  these 
friends  of  long  ago.  Their  home  in  childhood  was  in  New 
Haven,  Conn.  The  middle  of  their  life  was  spent  in  Evans- 
ville, and  after  being  widely  separated  for  years  they  re- 
turned to  the  home  of  their  younger  days,  and  as  the  shades 
of  evening  seemed  to  gather  over  their  pathway  of  life,  the 
old  time  friends  united  their  destinies,  determined  to  cheer 
and  encourage  each  other  till  the  end  of  their  journey,  where 
the  reward  of  an  honest  and  useful  life  will  fall  to  the  lot 
of  each. 

The  marriage  of  the  venerable  couple  was  celebrated 
at  Walnut  Street  Church  in  the  presence  of  many  witnesses 
and  warm  friends,  and  was  propably  the  most  memorable 
wedding  that  has  ever  taken  place  there,  owing  to  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  the  couple,  the  groom  having  two  years  passed 
the  fourscore  mile-stone,  and  the  bride  being  but  a  few 
years  his  junior.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barnes  now  reside  in  Mar- 
rietta, Ohio,  where  they  expect  to  pass  their  remaining  days. 
Borne  safely  on  the  stream  of  time  past  all  the  storms  and 
quicksands  of  life  they  peacefully  await  the  summons  to  the 
haven  of  Heavenly  rest. 


29 


CHAPTER    VIL 


This  history  of  the  church  would  not  be  complete  with- 
out mention  being  made  of  some  of  its  prominent  mem- 
bers. There  were  some  of  the  loveliest  type  of  Christian 
men  and  women  in  the  church  in  its  earliest  days,  that 
through  the  period  of  more  than  half  a  century,  it  has  ever 
been  the  writer's  privilege  to  know.  In  saying  this  it  may 
also  be  said  that  the  mantle  of  these  good  people  has  fallen 
on  some  of  those  who  now  occupy  places  they  once  filled  and 
no  greater  inheritance  on  earth  could  be  desired  than  they 
possess. 


JUDGE  WILLIAM  OLMSTED. 

Of  Honored  and  Blessed  Memory. 

His  name  was  for  many  years  a 
household  word  in  all  the  families  where 
he  was  known.  He  was  one  of  the  earli- 
est settlers  in  this  country,  having  come 
here  in  1817.  He  was  an  old  man  in 
1834,  and  the  writer  can  never  forget 
the  cordial  greeting  he  gave  to  the  new- 
comer to  a  Western  home.  He  was  an 
educated  man,  was  born  in  the  state  of 
New  York,  and  with  his  talents  and 
piety  he  was  a  host  in  this  new  country. 
He  was  Judge  of  the  Court,  and  his  opin- 
ion on  all  matters  of  interest  was  sought  and  it  had  a  pow- 
erful influence.  He  was  an  Elder  in  the  church  for  many 
years,  and  he  was  foremost  in  every  thing  that  was  for  the 
good  of  the  community  in  which  he  lived.  On  coming  to 
the  country  he  took  up  a  large  tract  of  Government  land  on 
Pigeon  Creek  and  built  a  primitive  double  log-cabin,  which 
was  always  a  pleasant  and  desirable  place  to  visit.  His  wife 
was  an  old-time  gentlewoman  and  an  excellent  wife,  who 
"looketh  well  to  the  ways  of  her  household,"  and  the  royal 
cheer  of  that  hospitable  home  was  a  great  attraction  as  well 

30 


as  the  genial  welcome  that  was  extended  by  the  old  Judge 
to  his  numerous  friends.  His  pleasant  stories  of  early  times 
in  these  Western  wilds  were  a  source  of  great  enjoyment  to 
his  young  listeners  to  whom  he  was  particularly  agreeable. 
His  decendants  may  well  be  proud  of  their  venerable  ances- 
tor.   He  died  in  1865. 


DANIEL  CHUTE, 

Elder  of  Wabnd  Street  Church. 

"Father  Chute,"  as  he  w^as  famili- 
arly called,  was  another  of  the  faithful 
who  deserves  to  be  mentioned.  His 
daily  walk  and  conversation  was  such 
as  to  make  him  honored  and  remem- 
bered by  all  who  knew  him. 

Mr  Daniel  Chute  was  the  first  El- 
der of  the  church  and  was  a  man  of 
small  stature,  but  like  Daniel  of  old, 
though  not  called  upon  to  encounter  a 
den  of  lions,  his  courage  at  one  time  was 
brought  forth  in  such  a  way  to  make 
him  ever  after  renowned  for  bravery  with  those  who  knew 
the  circumstances  in  which  he  was  placed. 

At  the  time  of  the  division  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
into  Old  and  New  school,  "Father  Chute,"  as  an  Elder,  at- 
tended the  Vincennes  Presbytery,  and  in  the  language  of  a 
beloved  pastor,  the  incident  is  given :  to  question  the  Pres- 
byterianism  of  Daniel  Chute  was  like  questioning  the  Pres- 
byterianism  of  John  Calvin  himself."  Mr.  Chute  loved  the 
doctrines  of  the  church  and  loved  the  polity  of  the  church, 
and  when  the  Vincennes  Presbytery  turned  its  rebuke  upon 
him  it  was  not  for  heresy — it  dared  not  do  that — it  was  for 
not  approving  the  excinding  act  of  1837  and  because  he  was 
not  willing  to  accord  with  the  almost  unanimous  vote  of  the 
Presbytery  thanking  the  great  Head  of  the  church  that  the 
once  united  church  in  our  land  was  divided."  In  the  face 
of  all  this  opposition  he  dared  boldly  to  stand  up  in  defence 
of  his  own  principles,  which  at  this  late  day  and  in  view  of 
the  reunion  that  has  since  taken  place  shine  out  in  their 
true  light.  With  a  prophetic  eye  he  saw  without  doubt  the 
harsh  and  unkind  feelings  such  a  separation  among  old  time 
friends  might  engender,  and  his  kind  heart  rebelled  against 
such  estrangement,  and  the  wisdom  of  his  judgment  and 
right  feeling  in  this  matter  will  always  be  respected  and  ap- 
proved.    It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  brotherhood  will  never 

31 


again  be  disturbed  by  such  dissension  and  we  shall  see  how 
these  Christians  "love  one  another." 

This  good  man,  like  Eli  of  old,  had  his  trials.  His  ex- 
ample was  always  all  that  it  should  have  been  before  his 
family,  gentle  and  kind  and  in  the  simplicity  of  his  heart 
and  true  faith  he  dedicated  his  children  to  God  with  im- 
plicit faith  that  He  to  whom  he  confided  all  his  dearest  in- 
terests would  in  His  own  good  time  gather  them  into  his 
fold.  With  the  memory  of  that  blessed  father  they  ought, 
with  grateful  hearts  for  such  a  parent,  to  devote  the  remain- 
ing days  of  their  life  to  the  service  of  Him  whom  their 
father  loved  and  served.  His  daughters  were  exemplary 
women.  His  youngest,  Miss  Charlotte  Chute,  married  Gov- 
ernor Baker,  who  was  a  prominent  member  of  Walnut 
Street  Church.  "Father  Chute'  for  many  years  led  the  choir 
and,  though  time  somewhat  changed  the  melody  of  his  voice, 
he  always  pitched  the  tune,  and  he  is  without  doubt  singing 
with  the  Seraphs  today. 


CHAPTER  VIIL 


REV.  SAMUEL  K.  SNEED. 

Rev.  Samuel  K.  Sneed  became  pastor  of  the  church  in 
1846,  remaining  until  1848. 

He  was  an  earnest  and  faithful  preacher,  never  failing 
to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God  in  no  unmistakable 
terms,  telling  the  sinner  and  reprobate  what  would  become 
of  them  if  they  did  not  make  haste  to  "flee  from  the  wrath 
to  come."  He  quoted  his  Master's  words  to  them,  calling 
them  a  "generation  of  vipers,"  "children  of  the  devil."  He 
could  describe  all  the  wicked  feelings  of  the  human  heart, 
more  perhaps  than  a  great  many  of  the  people  of  his  church 
ever  heard  about  or  experienced.  In  fact  he  had  a  very  poor 
opinion  of  human  nature  generally.  His  sermons  made  an 
impression  upon  the  hearer  than  could  never  be  forgotten. 
There  was  more  that  could  be  remembered  in  them  than 
in  most  discourses  one  hears.  He  was  careful  to  impress 
everyone  with  the  idea  that  the  soul  of  a  rich  man  was  no 
more  value  in  the  sight  of  God  than  that  of  a  poorman,and 
the  oft  repeated  text,  "your  sin  will  find  you  out,"  went 
straight  to  the  conscience  of  the  hearer. 

His  explanation  of  faith  was  new  and  impressive.  The 
Christians'  faith  he  compared  to  a  man  walking  in  the  dark 
with  a  lantern.  It  did  not  give  him  light  beyond  a  certain 
distance.  When  that  point  was  reached  the  light  still  shone 
as  far  beyond  as  it  had  done  before.  So  the  person  who 
walks  by  faith  just  goes  by  the  light  given  him  from  above, 
knowing  that  for  all  his  journey  his  light  will  be  sure,  guid- 
ing his  footsteps  as  he  needs  it  till  he  reaches  his  home  in 
Heaven. 

In  the  lives  of  good  and  pious  men  there  are  sometimes 
amusing  incidents,  and  the  reader  will  perhaps  excuse  the 
relation  of  such  a  one,  as  this  book  is  not  purely  a  religious 
one.  Mr.  Sneed  was  a  man  of  uncommonly  nervous  temper- 
ament and  he  sometimes  found  himself  in  circumstances 
where  it  was  exceedingly  hard  to  control  his  nervousness.  A 
very  funny  incident  occurred  one  Sabbath  during  service, 

33 


which  will  ilkistrate  how  much  one  may  suffer  from  that 
cause.  During  the  service  a  dog,  which  had  perhaps  fol- 
lowed his  country  owner  to  church,  remained  outside,  and  as 
time  seemed  to  pass  wearily  to  him  waiting  for  his  master, 
he  began  to  bark  in  a  most  furious  manner.  The  parson's 
face  grew  red — and  redder.  He  cleared  his  throat  and  used 
his  handkerchief  in  a  most  sonorous  manner  and  seemed 
to  lose  the  thread  of  his  discourse,  and  as  he  found  himself 
less  and  less  able  to  recover  from  the  annoyance,  he  said : 
"Brother  Orr,  will  you  please  see  if  any  arrangement  can  be 
laade  for  the  accommodation  of  that  dog." 

The  good  brother  went  down  the  aisle  in  the  most  quiet 
manner  possible,  and  whether  he  read  the  riot  act  or  the 
commandments  to  the  dog  or  not  we  never  knew.  The  noise, 
however,  subsided  and  the  excitement  ceased. 

Mr.  Sneed  had  been  reared  in  affluence  in  a  slave  state, 
and  the  close  economy  and  comparatively  straightened  cir- 
cumstances of  an  Indiana  preacher  were  very  unsuited  to  his 
taste  or  requirements.  He  was  really  a  pious  man,  but  he 
often  confessed  with  sorrow  that  he  was  obliged  to  wage 
a  continual  warfare  with  the  old  natural  self  that  was  still 
in  him.  He  was  an  excellent  pastor,  sympathizing  with  the 
afflicted,  dispensing  the  consolations  of  religion  to  the  sick 
and  distressed  at  all  times  and  seasons. 


REV.  E.  A.  LORD. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Lord  took  charge  of  the  church  in  1848 
and  remained  until  1849. 

He  was  a  young  man,  earnest  and  faithful  and  very  am- 
bitious to  see  the  church  prosperous  and  he  knew  enough  of 
human  nature  and  the  world  at  large  to  know  that  success 
was  sure  to  attend  even  the  appearance  of  prosperity,  and 
it  was  through  his  influence  that  the  little  primitive  Church 
on  the  Hill  was  improved.  The  particular  object  which  he 
seemed  most  desirous  to  accomplish  was  the  removal  of  the 
gable-end  of  the  church  and  extending  its  dimensions,  but 
for  some  reason,  probably  the  want  of  funds,  the  church  was 
only  remodeled  in  the  interior.  The  portico  was  prefixed 
and  the  small  belfry  with  a  neat  spire  surmounting  it.  A 
bell  was  introduced  and,  sixteen  years  after  the  erection 
of  the  building 

"The  sound  of  the  Church  going  bell 
These  valleys  , and  rocks  never  heard." 


1167652 


now  rung  out  in  silvery  tones,  calling  the  people  to  the  wor- 
ship of  the  living  and  true  God.  The  taking  out  of  the  gable- 
end  of  the  church  which  Mr.  Lord  so  devoutly  desired,  was 
reserved  for  the  good  Pastor  McCarer's  day.  In  1851,  the 
church  then  being  quite  too  small  to  accommodate  the  grow- 
ing congregation,  it  was  extended  twenty-nine  feet,  and  the 
little  gallery  occupied  by  the  choir  was  introduced,  which 
increased  the  capacity  of  the  church  in  a  very  satisfactory 
manner. 

Rev.  Mr.  Lord  preached  very  fine  seraions,  he  was  a 
thorough  student  and  gave  most  of  his  time  to  his  books. 
His  visits,  as  a  pastor,  were  not  considered  as  necessary 
by  him  as  good,  strengthening,  spiritual  food  for  his  con- 
gregation. His  placid  countenance  showed  peace  of  mind 
and  contentment,  the  world  never  failed  to  look  bright  to 
him.  This  conclusion  was  arrived  at  by  the  fact  that  when- 
ever he  made  a  visit  he  never  failed  to  make  the  same  re- 
mark. After  greeting  his  friends  in  the  usual  manner,  he 
always  said:  "It's  very  fine  today."  This  he  was  known  to 
have  said  when  it  was  even  raining.  His  mind  always 
seemed  to  be  upon  subjects  on  which  he  failed  to  speak  in 
social  intercourse;  in  other  words  he  was  absent  minded, 
but  his  seiTnons  indicated  thought  and  study  which  were 
highly  creditable  to  him.  His  ministrations  were  rewarded 
by  the  interest  taken  in  improving  the  church,  and  the  ad- 
ditions to  its  number  of  members  during  his  stay,  which 
was  only  about  one  year.  He  removed  to  New  York  and 
very  little  is  since  known  of  him,  except  that  like  the  man  in 
the  old  times  who  was  bidden  to  a  feast  and  could  not  come, 
he  had  "married  a  wife." 


35 


,^*^«^^' 


J^^  1^! 


^^ftl   >'^-^ 


REV.  WM.  H.  M  CARER. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


REV.  WM.  H.  M'CARER. 

The  next  minister  who  filled  the  pulpit  of  the  "Little 
Church  on  the  Hill"  was  the  Rev,  W.  H.  McCarer.  He  con- 
tinued to  be  a  most  acceptable  pastor  for  eighteen  years  and 
a  half,  and  as  all  his  words  now  seem  to  those  who  knew  and 
loved  him  "like  apples  of  gold  in  pictures  of  silver,"  a  ser- 
mon of  his  appears  on  the  next  page,  which  was  delivered 
in  the  First  Avenue  Church  after  he  dissolved  his  connec- 
tion with  the  Walnut  Street  Church,  and  it  was  afterwards 
repeated  by  request  in  the  church  of  which  he  had  formerly 
been  pastor. 

"This  discourse  reviews  his  thirty  years'  service  in 
this  city  and  is  replete  with  reminiscences  of  great  inter- 
est to  the  reader  and  is  full  of  pathetic  reflections." 

Sermon  by  Rev.  W.  H.  McCarver. 


Also,   now,   behold,   my  witness   is   in   Heaven,   and   my   record   is   on   high 

— [Job  16;  19.] 

On  the  last  Saturday  evening  of  the  month  of  October, 
1849,  with  my  wife  and  three  children,  I  landed  at  your 
wharf;  and  on  the  next  morning,  28th  day  of  October,  the 
Sabbath,  began  my  public  ministry,  as  pastor-elect  of  the  old 
Presbyterian  Church,  whose  edifice  was  called  then  by  the 
old  residents,  by  the  various  epithets:  "Church  in  the 
Woods,"  "Church  on  the  Hill,'  and  "Little  brick  Church,"  oc- 
cupied a  site  on  Second  street,  where  are  now  located  the 
offices  of  the  Demokrat  and  Courier.  It  was  still  "on  the 
Hill,"  but  the  street  was  graded  some  ten  feet  below,  so  that 
the  place  of  worship  was  reached  by  flights  of  stairs  on 
either  side,  admitting  you  to  a  pillared  portico,  which  was 
surmounted  by  a  pretty  spire,  neither  of  any  special  preten- 
tions, and  yet  giving  some  conspicuousness  to  this  temple 
of  the  Lord. 

As  our  boat  neared  the  wharf,  the  sun  had  just  hid- 
den itself  beneath  the  crimson  West,  and  the  bell  of  the  little 


:X 


'X-'^C 


\rr 


i>^^^: 


I    1 


■I'- 


Little  Church  on  the  Hill. 


38 


spire  was  chiming  its  evening  call,  and,  to  the  question  of 
my  young  wife,  "what  bell  is  that?"  my  answer  was,  "that 
is  our  bell  calling  the  choir  together  for  rehearsal." 

I  wish  I  could  give  the  history  of  that  choir.* 

By  invitation  of  the  church  I  had  spent  some  three 
weeks  in  the  city  in  the  spring  of  the  year,  which  visit  led 
the  church  to  extend  me  a  call  to  become  its  permanent  pas- 
tor, the  delay  to  entering  immediately  upon  my  work  being 
determined  by  prudential  considerations  connected  with  the 
health  of  my  family. 

There  is  a  popular  impression  that  the  time  of  my  com- 
ing here  marked  my  ordination  to  the  ministry.  This  is  not 
so ;  for  six  years  and  a  half  previously  "I  dwelt  among  mine 
own  people,"  constituting  one  of  the  strongest  rural  con- 
gregations within  the  boundaries  of  the  Philadelphia  Pres- 
bytery. 

It  may  not  be  amiss  here  to  say  that  the  correspondence 
which  resulted  in  my  settlement  in  the  West  was  carried  on 
by  Ex-Governor  Baker.  My  name  had  been  suggested  to 
the  church  by  the  distinguished  Albert  Barnes,  whom  I  had 
known  from  my  youth,  and  who  recommended  me  to  the 
church. 

Governor  Baker  was  the  first  man  to  take  me  by  the 
hand  when  I  stepped  upon  the  shore  of  your  city,  inviting 
me  to  his  humble  cottage — still  standing  in  its  simplicity, 
but  the  flowers  and  woodbine  gone  with  her  who  twined 
them  and  made  it  a  home  of  beauty.  There  I  ate  my  first 
meal,  being  subsequently  entertained  by  Mr.  Samuel  Orr  and 
his  excellent  family.  These  two  men — I  name  it  with  pride 
and  gratitude — were  among  my  first  friends,  and  they  have 
been  among  the  finest  and  best  friends  I  ever  expect  to  have 
on  earth. 

Well  do  I  remember  the  smiles  of  that  beautiful  Sab- 
bath morning,  that,  together  with  the  smiles  of  my  people, 
gave  me  a  welcome  to  my  work.  This  work  began  by  mak- 
ing my  way  first  to  the  Sabbath  School,  where  I  announced 
to  the  children  that  I  had  come  to  be  their  pastor,  and  then, 

*It  is  deserving-  of  mention  that  it  was  then,  and  for  years  after., 
under  the  conduct  of  the  late  Col.  C.  K.  Drew,  of  the  old  Exchang-e,  on 
Lower  First  street;  where,  in  its  then  seemingly  spacious  Dining  Room, 
nearly  all  the  Churches  of  the  city,  through  the  generosity  of  "mine 
host,"  held  numerous  festivals  and  concerts. 

Colonel  Drew's  son  was  then  quite  young,  but  presided  over  the  Me- 
lodeon,  and  for  years  after  entering  the  larger  edifice,  he  was  Church 
organist.  For  services  during  the  war  he  was  brevetted,  and  is  now 
known  as  his  father  was,  as  Colonel  C.  K.  Drew,  being  still,  with  his 
accomplished  wife,  members  of  the  Church  and  efficient  members  of  the 
Choir.     Thirty  years   in   this   good   service  of   the   Sanctuary. 

39 


afterward,  to  the  general  congregation,  where  I  delivered 
my  inaugural  discourse  from  the  text:  "For  I  determined 
not  to  know  anything  among  you  save  Jesus  Christ  and 
Him  crucified,"  and  here,  after  these  many  checkered  years, 
T  find  myself  meditating  the  inquiry  that  has  protruded  it- 
self a  thousand  times — "Have  I  been  faithful  to  my  avowal 
and  my  pledge?  Have  I  sought  to  know,  among  the  people 
of  this  city,  nothing  but  Jesus  and  Him  crucified?"  As  I 
ponder  the  simple  but  momentous  question,  I  am  silent,  re- 
membering that  God  only  knows — that  the  One  only  infal- 
lible witness  is  in  Heaven — that  the  only  infallible  record  is 
on  high. 

It  were  natural,  and  if  there  were  time,  it  would  be  in- 
teresting to  dwell  upon  what  the  city  then  was,  its  dimen- 
sions, its  appearance,  and  this  in  contrast  with  its  present 
showing. 

It  was  then  a  city  of  perhaps  less  than  6,000  inhabi- 
tants. It  was  seemingly  "in  transitu,"  and  from  being  a 
somewhat  pretentious  village,  with  some  little  notoriety, 
was  stepping  forward  to  challenge  a  place  among  the  stal- 
wart cities  of  the  State.  Its  proportions  and  weight  were 
very  modest.  It  had  a  quadrisected  square,  at  one  intersec- 
tion of  which  was  a  little  green  Court  House,  at  another  a 
wooden  jail  building  with  its  annexed  Sheriff's  residence 
(Mr.  Terry  its  occupant.)  Opposite  the  Court  House  was 
a  diminutive  market  house  and  just  as  diminutive  a  school 
edifice,  and  the  remaining  fourth,  where  the  Court  House 
now  stands,  was,  I  think,  the  resort  or  stand  for  country 
wagons. 

Our  noble  wharf — with  no  superior  along  the  whole 
Ohio's  length — was  just  completed,  the  grading  of  the  con- 
tiguous streets  in  progress.  Telegraphic  communication,  I 
think,  had  just  been  established  with  Louisville,  and  as  yet  a 
novelty.  There  was  no  railroad,  but  the  construction  of  one 
I  think,  to  Mt.  Carmel  via  Princeton,  was  enthusiastically 
discussed.  But  the  consummation  most  devoutly  wished  for 
of  all  things  was  the  canal ;  that  was  to  make  all  things  new 
and  particularly  great,  and  our  city  metropolitan.  There 
was  but  one  railroad  in  all  the  State,  from  Madison  to  In- 
dianapolis. 

If  we  except  the  old  warehouse  on  Water  street,  below 
Pine,  there  were  but  three  buildings  at  all  conspicuous.  The 
State  Bank,  still  standing  on  Main  street,  and  the  then  im- 
posing brick  residence  of  Hon.  Willard  Carpenter,  not  fully 
completed,  and  with  a  deep  slough  between  it  and  the  main 

40 


portion  of  the  city;  and  that  now  known  as  Barnes'  resi- 
dence on  Water  street,  contiguous  to  Sunset  Park.  These 
large  buildings,  at  that  time  among  the  humble  dwellings 
and  cottages  around,  had  a  very  formidable  appearance. 

The  city  was  indeed  of  contracted  and  indefinite  extent. 
There  was  but  little  of  it  beyond  Third  and  Fourth  streets 
from  the  river.  Where  you  now  go  to  the  depot  of  the  E. 
&  T.  H.  R.  R.,  you  then  went  to  the  country,  although  very 
near  to  the  now  depot,  stood  the  folly  and  failure,  entitled 
at  that  time,  "The  Bulls'  Head  Tavern,"  in  that  part  of  the 
city  entering  upon  Main,  and  a  few  blocks  thereupon  1  still 
meet  with  old  "land  marks,'  but  practically,  I  can  say  I  have 
seen  the  whole  city  rebuilt  and  built.  Of  the  old  part  the  then 
old  buildings  have  given  place  to  new,  and  where  there  was 
nothing,  we  have  now  either  massive  buildings  for  com- 
merce and  manufacturing,  palatial  homes  or  multitudinous 
cottages.  The  church  buildings  were  all  small  and  of  simple 
style.  The  most  pretentious  so  far  as  an  attempt  at  church 
ai'chitecture  proper  is  concerned,  was  the  building  known  as 
Viele  Hall.  And  there  were  only  eight  of  these  plain  struc- 
tures— one  of  them  only  still  used  for  divine  worship,  though 
greatly  transformed — St.  Paul's  Episcopal  Church,  corner 
of  First  and  Chestnut  streets.*  I  now  call  to  mind  twenty- 
eight  new  church  edifices  that  have  been  dedicated  to  public 
worship  since  my  coming,  and  in  the  consecration  of  not  a 
few  of  which  I  have  taken  some  formal  or  informal  part. 

Only  two  clergymen  beside  myself,  who  were  here  in 
1849,  are  here  now.  Rev.  J.  V.  Dodge  had  just  then  dissolved 
his  connection  with  the  Vine  Street  Church,  of  wnich  he  v/as 
the  first  and  for  some  ten  years  the  very  acceptable  pastor. 
Rev.  J,  A.  Saupert,  of  the  German  Lutheran  Chui'ch  is  the 
oldest  resident  pastor  in  Evansville.  He  was  on  the  ground 
when  I  came. 

A  few  words  as  to  the  then  state  of  religion  and  the 
work  of  evangelism  and  reform  at  that  early  date. 

The  church  of  which  I  became  pastor,  now  the  Walnut 
Street  Church,  was  small  in  numbers,  perhaps  not  more 
than  thirty  actual  members,  but  a  most  sterling  and  faithful 
nucleus  to  commence  with.  The  church  had  been  in  exist- 
ence twenty-eight  years.  We  had,  with  the  church  and  con- 
gregation, such  men  as  Ex-Governor  Baker,  John  Shanklin, 
Dr.  Wilcox,  Dr.  Morgan,  Daniel  Chute,  Judge  Olmstead,  Dr. 
Lindley,  Myron  Safford,  Alanson  Warner,  General  James  E. 

*Where  this  church  stood  is  now  a  new  and  elegant  church. — 1891. 
41 


Blythe,  J.  H.  Maghee,  Judge  Battell  and  Judge  Matthew  Fos- 
ter. 

It  is  the  impression  that  the  last  few  years  have  been 
marked  by  a  surprising  breaking  down  of  denominational 
prejudices.  Yet  1  bear  witness  of  no  such  prejudice  when  I 
came  among  the  Christian  people  of  Evansville.  I  found 
confiding  Christian  sympathy  in  all  the  denominations,  and 
there  was  earnest  co-working  on  the  part  of  all.  Practically, 
the  feeling  was,  "let  us  help  one  another." 

This  was  exhibited  in  a  marked  degree  in  social  and 
religious  gatherings  and  entertainments  at  which,  so  general 
was  the  gathering  together,  that  no  matter  which  church 
spread  the  banquet,  it  was  a  puzzle  to  know  which  was  the 
most  fully  represented  by  its  good  people.  Christians  then 
made  common  cause  with  one  another.  You  "beheld  how 
good  and  how  pleasant  it  was  for  brethren  to  dwell  together 
in  unity." 

There  was  an  epoch  in  the  temperance  work  thirty 
years  ago.  A  large  part  of  the  sterling  men  of  the  city  were 
active  "Sons  of  Temperance,"  holding  at  the  time  very  live 
meetings.  The  youth  of  the  city  were  organized  into  "Ca- 
dets of  Temperance."  Foremost  amongst  the  earnest  pro- 
moters of  these  youthful  clans  was  the  late  John  Ingle,  Jr., 
president  of  the  E.  &  C.  R.  R.  Popular  monthly  meetings 
were  held,  with  never  a  lack  of  speakers,  in  the  old  Locust 
Street  Church,  and  in  my  own,  where  the  enthusiasm  was 
often  hardly  less  than  is  now  witnessed  in  our  Red  Ribbon 
Halls.  How  I  should  love  to  have  the  walls  of  old  Locust 
Street  re-echo  the  fiery  eloquence  that  thundered  from  some 
of  the  Nestros  of  that  day!* 

Nor  was  there  a  lack  of  zeal  in  Sunday  School  work. 
The  ideal  school  of  today  throws  the  school  of  former  years 
into  insignificance,  but  twenty-six  or  twenty-eight  years  ago 
m  this  city  a  larger  proportion  of  the  children  of  outsiders 
were  in  our  schools  than  are  to  be  found  there  today.  I 
know  what  I  say. 

For  several  years  monthly  meetings  were  held  and  by  a 
system  practically  carried  out,   committees  semi-annually 

*As  an  evidence  that,  at  an  early  date,  the  friends  of  temperance 
had  some  earnestness  and  not  a  little  pluck,  it  is  worthy  of  commem- 
oration that  on  an  election  day,  the  friends  of  one  of  the  ciindid.-i t is  pro- 
cured a  barrel  of  whisky,  and  knocking-  in  the  head  and  siipiil  \  ing  a 
suitable  supply  of  tin  cups,  advertised  to  the  free  voters  in  Kcn.ial  and 
the  friends  of  their  candidate  in  particular  that  there  \vas  not  only  a 
supply  of  tickets  but  of  free  w^hisky.  also,  .John  Ingle,  Jr..  the  moment 
he  heard  it,  declai'ed  that  that  thing  should  not  be,  and,  fortliwith  started 
for  the  barrel,  and  with  the  help  of  a  friend  or  two,  emptied  its  contents 
upon  the  ground  amid  the  plaudits  of  the  friends  of  temperance,  and  the 
ang-er  and  chagrin  of  its  enemies. 

42 


canvassed  the  whole  city  with  the  intent  to  bring  the  very 
least  child  into  some  one  of  our  schools,  and  not  a  few  Chris- 
tian workers  remember  the  golden  age  of  our  mission 
schools,  memorable  in  Crescent  City  Hall,  and  which  had  its 
culmination  a  dozen  years  ago.  Who  go  now  into  the  deso- 
late homes  and  tenants  of  our  city? 

I  have  seen  the  whole  of  our  beautiful  common  school 
system  germinate,  bud,  blossom  and  bring  forth  its  benefi- 
cent fruit.  There  was  no  public  school  system  when  I  came. 
The  present  system  was  inaugurated  in  1853,  having  for  its 
chief  champion  and  as  worthy  of  all  honor  for  grading  it 
to  its  proud  rank,  Horatio  Q.  Wheeler,  Esq. — soon  seconded 
as  worthy  coadjutor,  by  the  Hon.  Wm.  Baker,  for  many 
years  the  Mayor  of  the  city. 

But  many  think  it  time  to  refer  to  my  own  special  work 
as  a  minister  of  Christ.  In  the  third  year  of  my  ministry 
God  so  greatly  prospered  us  that  it  was  deemed  necessary 
to  enlarge  our  habitation,  which  to  me  then  seemed  as  David 
expressed  it,  "The  Habitation  of  His  Holiness;  that  place 
where  His  Honor  dwelleth." 

The  rear  gable  end  of  the  building  was  removed  and  so 
extended  that  with  the  construction  of  a  small  organ  gallery 
we  had  additional  seating  of  at  least  one-third  more.  The 
growth  of  the  church  continued  to  be  healthy  and  substan- 
tial. In  the  winter  of  1856-7  a  marked  revival  was  enjoyed 
and  many  valuable  additions  to  the  church  received.  Two 
years  after  there  was  another  season  of  awakening  and  re- 
freshing. 

In  1859  the  church  decided  upon  the  erection  of  a  new 
edifice.  The  foundations  were  then  laid,  and  in  March,  1860, 
the  "Church  on  the  Hill,"  was  no  more,  its  venerable  walls 
were  removed,  a  few  of  the  brick,  however,  sacredly  pre- 
served and  lovingly  incorporated  in  the  new  building  on 
Walnut  and  Second  streets. 

The  memorial  discourse,  the  last  pronounced  in  the 
pioneer  church,  was  published  and  is  now  in  possession  of 
some  of  the  older  members  of  the  church. 

The  convenient  basement  of  the  then  new  building  was 
entered  on  the  first  Sunday  of  February,  1861.  It  was  a 
season  of  deep  religious  interest  throughout  the  city  dur- 
ing the  winter,  though,  at  that  time,  the  excess  of  interest 
was  abated.  It  was  one  of  the  most  remarkable  works  of 
grace  known  in  the  city.  It  commenced  in  the  Locust  Street 
M.  E.  Church,  under  God,  through  its  pastor.  Rev.  Dr.  Gil- 
lett,  who  seemed  especially  raised  up  and  qualified  from  on 


high  for  that  great  event.  The  Wahiut  Street  Church  came 
in  for  its  share  of  the  blessing,  and  some  sixty  persons  were 
then  added  to  it,  at  its  first  communion  in  the  new  base- 
ment. The  two  years  between  1861  and  1863  were  spent 
in  persistent  effort  to  complete  the  edifice,  and,  on  Febru- 
ary 7th,  1864,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Tuttle,  of  Crawfordsville, 
preaching  the  discourse,  the  building  was  dedicated  to  the 
worship  of  the  triune  God,  with  thanksgiving,  and  the 
voice  of  melody. 

Five  years  longer  I  went  in  and  out  among  my  people, 
breaking  unto  them  the  word  of  life  as  I  was  able,  at  the 
end  of  which  time  I  was  led  to  the  conclusion  that  my  re- 
tirement from  the  pastorate  was  expedient,  and  I  announced 
publicly  that,  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  I  would 
ask  to  be  rtired.  The  Presbytery  consented  to  my  request, 
and  in  April,  1868,  after  serving  the  church  eighteen  years 
and  six  months,  my  pastorate  ceased,  my  pupit  was  decared 
vacant  and  my  official  connection  with  the  people  of  Walnut 
Street  at  an  end. 

How  quicky  then  thronged  the  memories  of  those  eigh- 
teen years  and  more  of  the  best  years  given  to  men,  Yeais 
of  ardor  and  the  strength  of  one's  manhood,  and  to  me  nat- 
urally embracing  the  chiefest  of  the  work  of  my  life.  It 
was  then  I  called  to  remembrance  the  years  that  were  past, 
and  there  was  forced  upon  my  hearing  what  others  did  not 
hear — a  voice  that  said:  "Right  Blessed  are  the  dead  that 
die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth ;  Yea,  saith  the  spirit,  for 
they  rest  from  their  labors  and  their  works  do  follow 
them." 

And  I  said  to  myself,  through  divine  grace  I  hope  to 
"die  in  the  Lord."  As  to  the  resting  from  labor,  I  have 
never  concerned  myself  much,  for  I  have  loved  to  work  for 
the  Master,  and  His  yoke  has  never  been  grievous.  But 
when  I  die — I  said  to  myself — what  will  be  the  result  of  this 
very  considerable  portion  of  the  best  days  of  my  life.  Will 
my  work  follow  me?  Will  anything  remain  for  the  genera- 
tions to  come?  Will  the  seed  that  I  often  went  forth  weep- 
ing, scattering  it  here  and  there,  will  any  of  it  remain  and 
will  it  go  on  unfolding  and  unfolding  harvest  after  harvest, 
so  that,  in  the  evening,  I  shall  come  rejoicing,  bringing  some 
of  the  sheaves  with  me  ? 

My  heart's  desire  and  prayer  to  God  is  that  the  Wal- 
nut Street  Church  may  arise  and  shine  and  that  the  beauty 
of  the  Lord  may  ever  be  upon  her. 

There  are  now  some  of  my  dearest  brethren  and 
friends,  and  from  thence  have  gone  many  who  are  now  en- 


tered  into  rest,  having  been  cordial  co-laborers  with  me,  and 
toward  whom  I  feel  that  I  am  moving,  and  with  whom  I 
shall  take  sweet  counsel  and  talk  of  the  loves  and  labors  of 
the  past.  Sweet  will  be  the  greeting  when  we  meet  to  see 
each  other  there,  "knowing  as  we  are  known,"  to  sit  down 
in  the  Kingdom  of  our  Father  hereafter. 

Shortly  after  my  retirement  in  1868,  I  was  appointed 
one  of  the  Secretaries  of  the  American  and  Foreign  Chris- 
tian Union,  traveling  in  the  interest  of  its  Missionary  work. 
But  in  the  spring  of  1874,  some  of  my  friends  urged  upon 
my  acceptance  the  pastorate  of  the  Second  Avenue  Mission 
Work.  I  accepted  it.  Without  detaining-  you  here,  you  know 
matters  led  to  a  new  organization,  with  a  chang-e  of  loca- 
tion and  the  erection  of  this  new  and  beautiful  building,  che 
First  Avenue  Church,  which  we  are  now  seeking  to  put  upon 
an  enduring  foundation,  so  that  it  may  be  to  the  people  of 
this  part  of  our  city  a  fountain  of  good  for  years  and  years 
to  come. 

But  here  a  few  reflections  as  to  the  manner  and  matter 
of  my  life  among  you,  and  my  convictions  of  what  is  the  best 
way  of  making  the  Gospel  a  power  through  the  churches 
and  its  ministry. 

As  to  the  manner  of  my  life,  I  think  I  can  honestly  say 
I  have  sought  to  be  a  true  man,  faithful  in  my  calling,  and 
ever  ready  to  be  to  all  the  people,  "their  servant  for  Jesus' 
sake."  I  have  aimed  at  all  times  and  under  all  circumstances 
to  stand  up  for  the  truth,  and  to  stand  up  for  the  right.  I 
have  never  laid  aside  the  Gospel  trumpet,  and  never  know- 
ingly given  it  an  uncertain  sound.  I  have  worked  in  season 
and  out  of  season,  in  my  own  church  and  as  called  upon  in 
other  churches,  and  among  those  who  were  of  no  church 
and  as  sheep  without  a  shepherd.  I  have  hastened  to  the 
call  of  the  sick  and  dying  at  midnight  as  well  as  at  mid-day. 
I  have  gone  with  the  poor  and  with  the  rich,  mid-winter 
cold  and  summer  heat,  saying  now,  with  due  consideration, 
that  in  no  case  have  I  ever  declined  to  speak  for  the  truth  or 
to  visit  the  sick,  or  to  attend  funerals  when  I  was  able.  Yea, 
and  that  I  have  often  gone  beyond  my  strength,  and  gone 
with  joy. 

As  to  my  preaching  and  my  utterances  for  Christ's 
cause,  it  has  been  all  the  time  the  "old,  old  story."  It  has 
been  Christ  and  Him  crucified.  I  have  had  defined  and  posi- 
tive convictions  of  truth,  and  he  is  not  a  man  who  has  not, 
and  I  have  expressed  my  convictions,  giving  a  reason  of  the 
hope  that  was  in  me.    I  have  had  my  creed,  not  formulated 


from  my  own  or  any  body  else's  philosophy,  or  after  the  wis- 
dom of  the  world,  but  according  to  the  Word  of  God.  I 
have  never  been  inclined  to  preach  other  than  the  words 
of  truth  as  found  in  the  Bible.  The  symbols  of  my  denom- 
ination I  love,  and  I  accepted  and  adopted  them  cheerfully 
and  voluntarily,  ever  and  only  interpreting  them  by  the 
Word  and  not  the  Word  by  the  symbols.  From  the  begin- 
ning of  my  ministry  I  have  held  that  doctrines  and  princi- 
ples of  my  denomination  spiritually  set  forth,  do  most  high- 
ly exalt  God  in  his  authority  over  men,  and  that  they  devel- 
op and  foster  righteousness,  justice,  truth  and  sincere  liber- 
ty and  good  will  in  society,  and  that  in  setting  them  forth 
as  a  minister,  I  was  working  to  lead  men  nearer  to  Heaven, 
and  aided  in  promoting  the  earthly  interests  of  the  com- 
munity that  I  have  long  learned  to  love. 

And  this  allusion  leads  me  to  believe  that  while  I  have 
been  emphatic  and  positive  in  preaching  my  honest  indi- 
vidual belief,  my  fellow  Christians,  who  differ  from  me  in 
certain  points  of  doctrine  and  principles,  will  bear  me  wit- 
ness that  I  have  never  made  myself  offensive  or  unready  to 
co-operate  in  the  common  work  of  the  common  salvation. 
In  building  up  my  own  denominational  work,  I  have  not 
depreciated  the  work  of  others.  If  I  have  had  little  ability 
to  raise  mortal  to  the  skies,  I  have  had  none  of  the  spirit 
to  drag  angels  down. 

Thirty  years  of  preaching,  and  I  have  yet  to  preach  my 
first  controversial  sermon.  There  has  been  no  sectarianism 
in  my  heart,  no  bitterness  in  my  thought,  no  intolerance  on 
my  tongue.  I  have  labored  in  all  the  denominations,  and 
this  was  particularly  so  during  the  earlier  days  of  my  min- 
istry when  our  mutual  needs  were  greater.  By  kindly  in- 
vitation (and  I  think  acceptable,)  I  ministered  in  homes  of 
affliction  and  bereavement.  I  have  been  widely  among  peo- 
ple in  times  of  gladness  and  sorrow,  at  the  cradle  and  at 
the  coffin,  at  the  bridal  and  at  the  burial ;  at  the  alter  and 
at  the  bier;  weeping  with  those  that  wept  and  rejoicing  with 
those  that  rejoiced. 

I  cannot  recount  the  number  of  baptismal  and  wedding 
ceremonies  in  which  I  have  participated.  I  find  parties  to 
these  offices  of  mine  everywhere  over  the  city.  I  have  bap- 
tized children  whose  parents  I  had  baptized  in  infancy,  and 
I  have  married  parties  whose  parents  I  was  privileged  to 
unite  in  holy  wedlock.  Children  who  were  trained  in  my 
first  Sabbath  School  are  now  found  in  substantial  depart- 
ments of  life  in  extensive  business  firms;  found  connected 
with  the  press  and  the  pulpit ;  in  office  in  the  service  of  the 

46 


state,  and  in  service  of  the  United  States.  Two  Superin- 
tendents in  this  Church  Sunday  School,  the  present,  and  the 
one  who  has  just  retired,  and  the  present  Superintendent 
of  the  Wahiut  Street  School,  were  scholars  in  my  earlier 
school,  and  in  my  school  of  today,  and  as  members  of  this 
church  are  children  of  parents  who  as  Sunday  School  chil- 
dren listened  to  me  thirty  years  ago. 

Now,  in  hastening  these  reminiscences  to  a  conclusion, 
I  am  not  here  to  deny  or  affirm,  nor  am  I  anxious  to  have 
any  opinion  even  offered  as  to  how  much  my  poor  efforts 
have  aided,  if  at  all,  any  of  these  in  their  life  work  or  life 
journey,  or  whether  those  efforts  may  help  to  exhibit  them 
at  last  as  among  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord  when  He  com- 
eth  to  make  up  His  jewels.  I  am  content  to  know  that  the 
Master  whom  I  serve  is  keeping  the  account  and  keeping 
it  correctly,  and  I  know  that  he  will,  anyhow,  give  me  bet- 
ter than  I  deserve.  Behold,  my  witness  is  in  Heaven ;  my 
record  is  on  high. 

I  had  wanted  very  greatly  in  this  memorial  discourse 
to  speak  particularly  of  a  question  that  comes  up  naturally 
and  might  be  stated  thus :  After  thirty  years  of  labor  and 
observation,  do  you  think  that,  as  Christians  and  Churches, 
we  are  improving  in  our  ways  of  reaching  men  by  the  Gos- 
pel, and  our  methods  of  practical  work  better,  and  is  pure 
Christianity  increasing,  and  are  the  churches  of  the  city 
keeping  pace  with  the  progress  of  the  city?  A  proper  an- 
swer would  furnish  theme  for  two  discourses. 

Our  working  for  the  extension  of  religion  can  never 
be  improved  upon,  unless  in  the  main  it  leads  men  to  see 
that  they  are  sinners,  lost  and  condemned,  and  that  they 
must  perish  forever  unless  they  repent  and  be  converted. 
Our  Gospel  must  be  the  same  Gospel  preached  at  Pentecost 
eighteen  hundred  years  ago.  We  shall  never  save  men  by 
representing  them  to  be  any  better  than  lost  in  sin  and  under 
God's  just  displeasure.  Nor  are  we  likely  to  extend  a  pure 
and  vigorous  religion  by  lowering  its  claims  or  authority. 

My  long  and  deliberate  conviction  both  as  a  worker  and 
a  looker  on,  is  that  Christianity  gains  nothing  by  compro- 
mises of  any  kind,  nor  by  lowering  her  claims  to  suit  the  ex- 
action of  either  pleasure  loving  professors  or  a  pleasure 
loving  world.  Christians  must  show  that  their  religion  is 
a  religion  of  happiness,  and  kindness  and  love,  and  that,  so 
far  as  they  can  do  it  without  sacrifice  of  principles  or  duty, 
they  are  "willing  to  be  all  things  to  all  men  that  they  may 
by  all  means  save  some,  doing  it  for  the  Gospel's  sake. 
These  have  been  the  views  by  which  I  have  shaped  my  life 


among  you,  and  have  sought  to  conform  my  church  conduct, 
say,  as  to  church  entertainments  and  matters  of  financial 
need,  where  the  usage  is  in  the  direction  that  "the  end  justi- 
fies the  means,'  or  "let  us  do  just  this  little  evil  that  good 
may  come."  This  is  not  a  case  where,  if  the  mountain  will 
not  come  to  Mohammed,  Mohammed  must  go  to  the  moun- 
tain. Without  biterness  or  ill  will,  or  fault  finding,  I  have 
withheld  myself  from  all  these  things,  and  expressed  my 
fears  as  to  their  tendencies ;  and  never  did  I  feel  a  stronger 
conviction  than  I  do  at  this  moment  that  these  things  have 
weakened  and  neutralized  the  moral  power  of  the  church, 
and  detracted  from  her  divine  majesty  as  the  elect  of 
Christ. 

The  moral  power  of  all  our  churches  would  at  the  pres- 
ent time  be  vastly  greater  than  it  now  is,  if  from  the  begin- 
ning, consistently  and  constantly  it  had  shunned  the  en- 
tanglements of  folly  and  doubtful  morality  and  doubtful  ex- 
pediency. Yea,  if  it  had  in  the  spirit  of  meekness  and  kind- 
ness rather  erred  on  the  side  of  severity  than  of  the  laxness 
and  licentiousness  into  which  too  many  have  been  drawn. 
The  precipice  is  to  have  a  wide  berth  rather  than  to  be  ap- 
proached too  closely. 

The  same  in  uttering  the  severer  doctrines  of 
the  Gospel.  Do  it  lovingly  and  kindly,  but  utter  even  rhe 
unpalatable  truths  of  God.  An  emasculated  Christianity 
is  a  powerless  region. 

As  to  the  relative  advance  of  the  churches  compared 
with  the  growth  of  the  city  and  perhaps  I  ought  to  speak 
only  of  my  own  denomination,  I  do  think  that  we  have  not 
done  all  that  we  could  have  done  if  we  had  been  more  faith- 
ful. The  influence  of  our  church  is  not  what  it  should  be 
nor  what  it  could  be  if  we  were  consecraated,  united,  wide 
awake  and  working.  Without  work  there  can  be  no  harvest. 
This  city  is  a  field  white  for  harvesting,  but  who  will  be  i:he 
laborer? 

There  needs  be  co-operation  among  all  our  churches. 
We  are  falling  behind  the  race — there  is  nc  concealing  the 
matter,  but  past  losses  may  be  retrieved,  and  now  is  the 
time  to  do  it.  To  delay  it  may  be  too  late  forever.  Each 
church  should  organize  for  its  individual  work,  and  we 
should  be  in  correspondence  with  one  another.  Let  us  re- 
member the  Captain  of  our  salvation  holds  us  responsible 
that  we  lose  no  more  ground,  but  go  up  at  once  and  possess 
the  land. 

A  single  thought  as  to  my  present  work.  I  feel  that  I 
am  now  m  my  last  earthly  enterprise  in  the  glorifying  of 

48 


Christ.  I  thank  Him  for  what  He  has  permitted  me  to  do — 
enabled  me  to  do — but  there  is  just  one  thing  more  that  I 
beg  at  His  hands.  It  is  that  He  would  give  me  grace  and 
strength,  with  your  faith  and  labor  of  love,  my  people,  to 
bring  our  little  church  into  such  conditions,  that  I  may  say 
it  is  a  success;  that  is,  beyond  the  contingent  and  so  free 
from  every  embarrassment  which  it  is  in  our  power,  with 
the  sympathy  of  its  friends  to  free  it,  that  we  can  see  our 
way  clear  to  do  the  one  only  grand  work  which  any  church 
should  care  to  do — the  bringing  of  honor  to  Christ  through 
the  abundant  saving  of  souls. 

I  feel  when  I  can  do  this — bring  this  church  and  lay  it 
at  the  feet  of  Jesus  as  a  trophy,  and  say  "here,  Jesus,  am 
I  and  my  people,  the  people  whom  thou  hast  given  me,  and 
here  is  our  work.  We  bring  it  that  it  may  be  a  star  in  the 
crown  of  a  Saviour's  rejoicing."  I  feel  that  when  I  can  do 
this  I  can  then  say,  with  the  aged  Simeon,  "Lord,  now  let- 
test  thy  servant  depart  in  peace,  for  mine  eyes  have  seen 
thy  salvation." 

And  I  don't  want  my  work  in  Evansville  to  close  until 
I  can  do  this.  I  have  referred  to  work  in  the  days  of  my 
prime,  my  undiscounted  manhood.  The  strength  of  those 
days  may  not  be  in  me  now,  but  I  know  that  God  is  ready 
to  give  me  the  strength  needful  for  all  that  this  enterprise 
demands — if  only  you  will  work  with  me — and  so  with  no 
vaunting  spirit,  but  humbly  depending  upon  divine  grace, 
I  offer  myself  to  God  and  to  you  as  ready  to  work  with  you 
all  and  with  the  foremost  of  you  all,  and,  being  your  leader 
do  challenge  you  to  keep  up  with  me  in  whatever  may  be 
agreed  upon  as  most  likely  to  prosper  the  church  and  ensure 
the  blessing  of  God  upon  it. 

As  I  ask  of  the  Master,  so  will  I — so  do  I  ask  of  you. 
His  people — "What  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do?"  Ready  to 
spend  and  to  be  spent  until  God  shall  crown  us  with  blessed 
victory. 


That  the  "crown  of  blessed  victory"  is  now  his,  and  the 
community  in  which  he  lived  felt  individually  bereft  when 
he  was  taken  from  their  midst.  He  was  looked  upon  as 
a  pattern  of  all  that  a  minister  ought  to  be.  He  was  a  de- 
vout and  cheerful  Christian,  a  counsellor  and  friend,  to  all 
alike,  a  genial  and  agreeable  companion.  He  had  outlived 
the  time  when  it  seemed  necessary  for  a  minister  to  wear  a 
long  countenance  and  talk  only  on  serious  matters,  and  his 
pleasant  face  and  cheerful  greeting  comes  up  before  us,  as 

49 


he  was  cordially  welcomed  in  all  social  gatherings  among 
his  friends.  Whatever  Mr.  McCarer  says  of  himself  in  the 
sermon  is  known  to  be  true  and  is  heartily  responded  to  by 
all  who  knew  him. 

"My  present  work,"  of  which  Rev.  Mr.  McCarer 
speaks,  was  the  First  Avenue  Church.  By  his  efforts  this 
church  was  sustained  and  built  up,  and  if  he  could  have  re- 
mained with  it  till  to-day  he  would  have  seen  his  wish  real- 
ized in  regard  it  is  being  "a  success."  The  beautiful  struc- 
ture which  stands  on  the  corner  of  Second  and  Walnut  is  a 
grand  monument  to  his  memory.  His  zeal  and  persever- 
ance were  embodied  in  it  as  well  as  his  devout  desire  to 
honor  God  by  building  a  temple  wherein  to  worship  Him 
and  sing  praises  to  His  holy  name.  The  prosperity  of  this 
church  in  all  these  years  is  largely  due  to  the  principles  in- 
culated  by  his  earnest  labor  and  his  unselfish  surrender  of 
his  own  interests  to  the  good  of  the  church,  and  there  have 
been  many  regrets  since  his  death  that  his  labors,  to  which 
the  best  years  of  his  life  were  given  were  not  more  gener- 
ously rewarded.  The  salary  he  received,  and  with  which 
he  was  satisfied,  was  insufficient  to  give  him  that  ease  of 
body  and  mind  that  he  richly  deserved  to  enjoy.  The  pur- 
pose of  building  a  church  made  it  impossible  to  increase  his 
salary  as  it  should  have  been,  and  though  never  a  hardy  or 
robust  man,  he  was  seen  cultivating  his  ground  with  all  the 
energy  of  a  farmer,  to  make  his  income  a  little  more.  If 
he  could  always  have  had  a  summer  vacation  such  as  the 
ministers  of  to-day  enjoy,  his  usefulness  might  have 
continued  many  years  longer  than  it  did.  His  home,  at  the 
head  of  Second  Street,  has  been  sold  to  Miss  Caroline  Rath- 
borne,  of  New  York,  for  an  Old  Ladies'  Home.  It  is  a  mat- 
ter of  regret  that  the  property  should  ever  have  been  al- 
lowed to  get  out  of  the  family,  particularly  during  the  life 
time  of  his  wife,  Mrs.  Sarah  H.  McCarer,  who  still  sur- 
vives him.  Much  to  the  regret  of  her  many  friends,  Mrs. 
McCarer  now  makes  her  home  in  Texas,  owing  to  the  re- 
moval of  some  members  of  her  family,  to  that  place,  with 
whom  she  wished  to  reside.  The  fact  that  any  particular 
publicity  was  always  offensive  to  her  and  that  she  might 

50 


some  day  see  these  pages  will  prevent  all  the  good  being 
said  of  her  that  ought  to  be.  But  with  the  hope  that  she 
will  excuse,  for  friendship  sake,  just  a  few  words  will  be 
said.  It  is  true  that  no  one  in  Evansville  ever  had  more 
friends  than  she  has  left,  her  life  in  the  eyes  of  all  these 
friends  has  been  perfect. 

The  position  of  pastor's  wife  was  never  more  appro- 
priately filled  than  it  has  been  by  her,  and  she  possesses  all 
the  traits  of  a  kind  hearted,  noble.  Christian  woman,  and 
deserves  to  be  and  is  most  kindy  remembered  by  all  who 
knew  her  and  particularly  by  the  members  of  the  church 
of  which  her  husband  was  pastor. 


CHAPTER  X. 


i 

^ 

\ 

45* 

^1 

Nf^ 

w 

.  w 

DR.  LINDLEY  AND  MRS.  LINDLEY. 

There  was  also  Dr.  Lindley  and 
wife,  who  still  live  in  the  memory  of 
some  of  the  oldest  residents.  They 
came  to  this  country  from  Connecticut 
and  made  their  home  in  Stringtown. 
The  doctor  was  for  many  years  an  El- 
der in  the  church.  This  couple  were 
well  advanved  in  life  when  they  sought 
a  new  home  in  the  West,  and  the  New 
England  principles  instilled  in  them  in 
youth  bore  excellent  fruit  when  trans- 
planted to  a  new  climate  and  new  sur- 
roundings. In  goodness  and  benevolence  they  could  not  be 
excelled,  the  doctor  administering  to  the  poor  and  afflicted 
"without  money  and  without  price,"  and  his  wife  binding 
up  the  broken  heart  and  giving  her  meagre  substance  with- 
out stint  to  those  who  were  more  needy  than  herself.  At 
that  early  date  Dr.  Lindley  was  the  first  person  who  ever 
advocated  woman's  rights  in  this  community.  His  views 
were  entirely  new  and  considered  rather  Eutopian,  then, 
but  now  it  seems  that  he  was  only  an  advanced  thinker.  A 
paper  for  which  he  subscribed,  which  was  an  exponent  of 
these  views,  was  called  the  "Banner  of  Peace."  If  he 
could  have  lived  to  these  days  his  highest  anticipations 
would  have  been  almost  realized.  That  women  would  help 
to  reform  the  world  in  temperance  and  politics  was  a  theme 
on  which  he  often  discoursed.  The  lives  of  these  good  peo- 
ple were  examples  that  could  not  fail  to  influence  all  who 
knew  them.  Peace  to  their  ashes,  and  a  blessed  reward  for 
them  above! 


Besides  the  men  who  were  the  pillars  of  the  church 
there  were  "honorable  women  not  a  few,"  who  were  as  nec- 
essary and  useful  to  the  superstructure  as  the  pillars  them- 


selves.  They  were  consistent  Christian  women,  who  gave 
all  their  influence  on  the  side  of  religion.  The  diversions 
they  sought  were  pure  and  simple.  Reading  societies  and 
sewing  societies  where  like  one  family,  they  were  all  inter- 
ested in  the  same  object,  jealousies  were  unknown.  There 
were  no  theatres  here  in  those  days  and  if  there  had  been, 
no  church  member  would  have  attended  them.  There  was 
no  beer  drinking  or  card  playing  mothers,  and  few  tempta- 
tions to  anything  but  a  moral  life. 


MRS,  WARNER. 

The  first  Mrs.  Warner  was  the  wife  of  Alanson  War- 
ner, a  sister-in-law  of  "Father  Chute,"  and  one  of  the  first 
church  members  when  it  was  organized.  She  was  an  in- 
fluential woman  and  active  in  good  works.  The  second 
Mrs.  Warner,  afterward  Mrs.  Chas  R.  Hopkins,  was  an  en- 
ergetic worker  in  everything  relating  to  the  welfare  of  the 
church,  and  at  her  death  she  left  a  handsome  bequest  to  the 
Walnut  Street  Church. 

Mr.  Alanson  Warner,  though  one  of  the  trustees  of 
the  church,  was  never  a  member.  He  was  a  man  of  ster- 
ling worth  and  honesty,  interested  in  every  good  cause.  He 
was  prosperous  in  business  and  gave  freely  of  his  means 
to  benevolent  objects.  It  was  at  his  house  the  flrst  meeting 
was  held  to  consider  the  building  of  the  church.  For  many 
years  he  kept  the  only  hotel  in  the  place,  the  "Mansion 
House,"  which  stood  where  the  People's  Opera  House 
stood. 


MRS.  J.  H.  MAGHEE 

Was  a  pattern  of  lovliness  of  character,  delicate  and 
reflned;  her  conscientious  and  pure  life  and  her  deeds  of 
charity  made  her  beloved  and  honored  by  everyone.  She 
passed  to  her  reward  years  since  and  her  parting  words  to 
her  dear  child  were  "Be  kind  to  the  poor."  Her  sister. 
Miss  Parker,  who  took  the  place  of  mother  to  the  bereaved 
child,  carried  out  her  sisters  wishes  in  all  respects,  being 
an  excellent  Christian  woman.  The  latter  is  still  living  in 
New  York  and  retains  pleasant  memories  of  her  life  in 
Evansville  and  her  many  friends,  few  of  whom  still  sur- 
vive. 

53 


MRS.  ROBERT  BARNES. 

Mrs.  Barnes  was  another  lovely  woman  whose  memory 
is  precious.  She  was  one  whom  any  person  with  aspira- 
tions for  a  higher  and  better  life  might  wish  to  imitate. 
Gentle,  kind  and  conscientious  she  performed  all  the  duties 
of  a  Christian  woman  with  zeal  and  pleasure.  She  had 
many  trials  which  were  borne  with  patience.  An  irrelig- 
ious husband  was  a  great  grief  to  her,  but  her  perfect  life 
and  prayers  for  him  were  no  doubt  the  means  after  her 
death  of  his  conversion,  which  it  was  truly  believed,  took 
place.  He  manifested  a  strong  desire  to  lead  a  new  life  and 
joined  a  church,  not  the  one  to  which  his  wife  had  belonged. 
But  his  ardor  was  dampened  by  the  persistent  efforts  of 
his  brethern  to  bring  him  forward  as  a  prominent  member, 
insisting  upon  his  praying  in  public  and  taking  an  active 
and  conspicious  part  in  the  church,  while  the  man  himself 
had  more  sense  and  modesty  than  to  accede  to  their  wishes. 
He  was  a  wealthy  man  and  they  wished  him  to  be  a  bright 
and  shining  light  in  the  world. 

Another  cause  of  his  "fall  from  grace"  was  the  good 
brethern  wished  to  administer  upon  his  estate  before  he 
was  done  with  it  himself.  In  other  words  there  was  no  end 
to  the  demands  upon  him  for  money,  to  which  he  responded 
in  a  reasonable  degree,  but  not  at  all  satisfactory  to  the  ap- 
plicant, and  to  prevent  any  further  expectations  he  became 
a  Spiritualist.  The  doctrines  and  belief  of  that  sect  suited 
him  better.  He  thought  the  more  spiritual  people  became 
the  less  money  would  be  required  from  him.  He  made  his 
will  leaving  his  property  to  the  Spiritualists,  but  at  his 
death  his  will  could  not  be  found  and  his  rightful  heirs 
came  into  possession  of  all  he  had  owned. 


MRS.  SARAH  L.  FLAGLER. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Leland  Flagler  was  one  of  the  earliest 
members  of  the  Walnut  Street  Church.  She  was  born  in 
Pleasant  Valley,  N.  Y.,  in  1794,  and  died  in  Glen  Cove,  N. 
Y.,  in  1882. 

Mrs.  Flagler  was  the  daughter  of  Rev.  John  Clark,  who 
was  for  more  than  thirty  years  pastor  of  Pleasant  Valley. 
She  was  a  genial  Christian  woman ;  life  had  no  dark  side  to 
her,  whatever  of  sorrow  or  care  came  upon  her  she  rallied 
from  it  and  became  cheerfully  resigned  to  her  lot.  In  her 
extreme  old  age  she  preserved  her  youthful  feelings.  She 
enjoyed  making  everyone  happy,  particularly  the  children. 

54 


She  was  a  lover  of  the  beautiful  in  nature  and  art,  and  pos- 
sessed the  art  of  making  beautiful  things  with  the  painters' 
pencil,  which  she  excercised  until  a  short  time  before  her 
death.  Many  homes  this  day  have  samples  of  her  skill  and 
taste — Beautiful  vases  and  articles  of  fancy  work  with 
which  she  decorated  the  dwellings  of  her  friends.  She  was 
untiring  in  her  labors  for  the  church,  and  many  dollars 
were  realized  from  the  sale  of  her  fancy  articles  at  the  fairs 
held  for  the  benefit  of  the  church.  After  leaving  Evans- 
ville  she  was  always  busy  aiding  poor  and  struggling 
churches  by  contributing  her  work  which  was  sold  to 
their  advantage.  Mrs.  Flagler  was  always  met  with  a 
friendly  greeting  wherever  she  went.  For  many  years,  with 
rare  kindliness  of  heart,  she  ministered  to  others  with  true 
Christian  sympathy,  rejoicing  with  the  happy  and  sorrow- 
ing with  the  sad.  Her  pastor  wrote  of  her  after  her  death : 
"Her  memory  will  long  me  cherished  here  and  elsewhere. 
To  the  last  her  childlike  faith  in  her  Savior  never  wavered 
and  she  was  ready  to  depart  and  be  with  Him." 


55 


Rev.  J.  P.  E.  Kumler. 


56 


CHAPTER  XI. 


REV.  J.  P.  E.  KUMLER. 

Rev.  J.  P.  E.  Kumler,  in  his  own  words,  gives  the  fol- 
lowing account. 

"I  received  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Walnut  Street 
Church,  of  Evansville,  Ind.,  in  May,  1868.  The  call  was  ac- 
cepted and  the  work  entered  upon  about  the  first  of  July 
following. 

The  Rev.  Wm.  H.  McCarer  had  been  pastor  for  nearly  a 
score  of  years;  he  had  led  the  church  from  weakness  to 
strength,  and  built  a  large  and  elegant  church  edifice.  He 
was  greatly  and  justly  loved  by  his  many  old  friends,  who 
were  pained  at  his  retirement,  and  though  he  continued  to 
reside  among  the  people  he  had  served  so  long  and  faith- 
fully, he  was  not,  as  is  often  the  case,  an  obstruction  to  the 
work  of  his  successor,  but  a  i  decided  help  and  a\  loving 
friend,  as  was  also  his  devoted  and  accomplished  wife. 
Fortunate  indeed  is  the  pastor  who  finds  such  parishoners 
as  we  found  in  Brother  McCarer  and  his  beloved  compan- 
ion. The  elders  fitly  represented  the  church.  The  names 
of  John  Shanklin,  Samuel  Orr  and  Dr.  Tyrrell  were  held  in 
reverence.  They  unselfishly  sought  the  purity,  peace  and 
prosperity  of  the  church.  Two  of  these  were  well  ad- 
vanced in  years,  and  the  church  was  growing  in  numbers 
so  that  they  requested  an  addition  to  their  number.  Gen. 
John  W.  Foster,  Prof.  A.  M.  Gow  and  Daniel  Mark  were 
chosen  and  proved  themselves  efficient  overseers  of  the 
flock.  All  were  in  harmony  and  seconded  every  effort  of 
the  pastor.  The  hand  of  the  Lord  was  with  us,  and  many 
were  added  to  the  church.  Special  mention  should  be  made 
of  the  godly  women  "not  a  few,"  who  at  this  distance  of 
twenty  years  come  vividly  before  me,  I  can  hardly  refrain 
from  beginning  the  catalogue  of  their  names,  but  I  would 
not  know  where  to  stop.  They  were  a  host  in  themselves; 
to  their  prayers  and  untiring  successful  work  the  prosperi- 
ty of  the  church  was  largely  due.  As  the  mind  to  work  be- 
came more  manifest  there  was  a  necessity  felt  for  a  more 
thorough  organization  for  church  work,  and  with  prince  of 


organizers,  Gen.  J.  W.  Foster,  we  effected  the  most  com- 
plete division  of  labor,  that  assigned  to  every  man  his  own 
work,  I  have  ever  seen  put  in  operation.  Nearly  every 
member  of  the  church  was  placed  on  some  committee ;  there 
was  no  branch  of  church  work  overlooked.  The  congrega- 
tion, the  prayer  meetings,  the  young  peoples'  meetings  the 
Sunday  school,  Cottage  prayer  meetings.  Temperance  so- 
cials, canvassing  and  religious  literature.  The  latter  com- 
mittee, I  remember,  saw  that  every  family  in  the  church 
had  one  of  our  church  papers. 

"As  there  was  no  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Association  in  the  city 
we  had  also  committees  to  visit  the  jail,  station  house,  in- 
firmary, and  to  distribute  invitations  to  attend  church  at 
the  different  hotels.  The  chairman  of  each  committee  re- 
ported regularly  to  the  session  what  the  committee  had 
done.  Then  followed  this  increased  activity  an  increased 
ingathering  of  souls  and  a  manifest  growth  of  grace  in  all 
the  workers.  The  contribution  to  the  different  Boards  of 
the  church  increased.  The  church  also  began  to  take  a  more 
active  part  in  the  mission  work  of  the  Presbytery.  The 
church  during  my  pastorate  was  exceedingly  fortunate  in 
her  Treasurer,  the  Hon.  Wm.  Baker,  nothing  was  allowed 
to  go  at  loose  ends — business  was  business.  The  annual 
reports  were  exhaustive  and  models  of  accuracy  and  a  great 
stimulus  to  greater  liberality.  The  payments  of  salary 
were  as  prompt  as  the  sun.  It  was  my  sad  duty  to  follow 
him  to  the  grave,  and  my  privilege  to  voice  a  general  senti- 
ment of  all  who  knew  him,  to  declare  that  in  his  departure 
the  community  and  the  church  lost  one  of  its  most  upright 
and  valuable  members.  I  cannot  refrain  from  mentioning 
a  few  others  whose  names  have  starred.  Mr.  Shanklin  and 
Mr.  Orr,  were  prominent  pillars  in  the  church.  They  were 
men  of  God  and  of  might,  upon  whom  the  church  and  so- 
ciety is  built.  They  were  identified  with  the  foundation  and 
superstructure  of  the  Walnut  Street  Presbyterian  Church. 
Nor  can  I  omit  the  name  of  my  warm-hearted  and  enthu- 
siastic friend  Mr  Daniel  Mark,  and  still  another.  Prof.  A. 
M.  Gow,  whose  great  experience  as  an  educator  enabled 
him  to  introduce  many  improvements  in  our  Sabbath  school 
methods;  and  still  there  comes  back  to  memory  both  men 
and  women  whose  faces  we  shall  see  no  more  in  time. 
"Part  of  the  host  have  crossed  the  flood,  part  are  crossing 
now."  There  was  no  discord  during  that  three  years  pas- 
torate. No  wonder  there  was  a  breaking  of  heartstrings 
when  the  relation  was  sundered.  Its  precious  memories 
are  counted  among  the  richest  legacies  of  my  life." 

J.  P.  E.  Kumler. 

58 


Rev.  J.  P.  E.  Kumler,  while  in  the  capacity  of  pastor, 
was  a  great  favorite  with  his  church  and  congregation,  and 
his  resignation  was  very  reluctantly  accepted.  His  parting 
with  his  friends  was  painful  at  least,  and  at  the  last  mo- 
ment he  may  have  wished  with  them  that  he  had  not  lis- 
tened to  the  "call"  which  they  did  not  wish  him  to  hear. 
Then  why  did  he  leave?  Was  it  the  "call,"  or  was  it  that 
like  a  brave  general  he  changed  his  position  in  order  to  be 
given  a  better  advantage  of  the  enemy,  thinking  that  with 
the  three  years  of  thorough  training  he  had  given  the  sol- 
diers of  the  cross  in  Evansville  that  they  could  "hold  the 
fort"  and  wage  successful  warfare  against  sin  without  his 
aid.  His  plans  of  systematic  church  work  have  continued 
and  the  impression  left  upon  his  people  is  that  he  was  an 
excellent  pastor.  He  was  an  eloquent  and  practical  preach- 
er, and  well  deserved  the  kind  regard  and  esteem  in  which 
he  is  held  to  this  day. 

To  Mr.  Kumler  the  First  Avenue  Church  is  largely  in- 
debted. Through  his  influence  it  was  first  started  as  a 
Mission  Society,  in  1871,  and  with  the  help  of  the  Grace 
Presbyterian  Church,  a  flourishing  society  was  organized 
and  a  church  was  built,  of  which  Rev.  Wm.  H.  McCarer  be- 
came pastor  and  was  very  active  in  the  promotion  of  its  in- 
terests and  welfare  until  the  time  of  his  death. 


MRS.  KUMLER 
Was  a  most  energetic  church  worker  and  is  not  forgotten. 
Her  active  interest  in  all  good  works  as  well  as  her  exam- 
ple, were  a  great  benefit  to  the  church.  No  duty  was  neg- 
lected that  she  undertook  to  perform,  and  she  was  one  of 
the  women  who  could  well  be  depended  upon  for  a  leader  in 
all  that  pertained  to  reform,  while  her  home  duties  were 
never  neglected.  She  was  a  good  wife  and  mother  and  is 
kindly  remembered  by  her  many  friends.  Mr.  Kumler 
went  from  Evansville  to  Cincinnati,  where  remained  for 
some  time.  His  place  of  residence  at  present  is  Pittsburgh, 
Penn. 


REV.  SAMUEL  CARLISLE. 

After  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kumler  left.  Rev,  Samuel  Carlisle 
filled  his  place.  It  has  been  impossible  to  hear  from  him, 
and  as  nothing  is  known  of  his  history  it  can  only  be  said 
that  he  was  quite  a  young  man  and  gave  satisfaction  as  a 
preacher. 

His  portrait  has  been  kindly  ofl'ered  by  one  of  his 
friends  for  insertion  in  this  volume. 

59 


Rev.  Carlisle. 


60 


CHAPTER  XII. 


REV.  CHARLES  HENRY  FOOTE,  D.  D. 

Rev.  Mr.  Foote  was  born  in  Lenox  Mass.,  the  17th  of 
June,  1825.  His  parents  removed  to  Monroe  county,  N.  Y. 
when  he  was  ten  years  of  age.  He  prepared  for  college  in 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  and  graduated  at  Williamstown,  Mass. 
He  began  the  study  of  law,  but  at  the  end  of  two  years  de- 
cided that  it  was  his  duty  to  enter  the  ministry.  He  then 
went  to  Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  and  before  he  fin- 
ished his  studies  there,  he  received  a  call  from  the  Second 
Church  in  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  which  he  accepted  im- 
mediately after  he  graduated  in  1854.  Mr.  Foote  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Alma  T.  Foote,  of  Madison,  N.  Y.,  in  June  of 
the  same  year  and  remained  with  the  New  Brunswick 
church  four  years.  Although  the  relation  of  the  church 
and  pastor  were  most  harmonious,  he  took  the  advice  of  his 
physician  and  removed  west  for  the  benefit  of  the  health  of 
his  wife.  He  settled  first  in  Jerseyville,  111.,  where  he  lived 
for  ten  years,  which  included  the  time  of  the  civil  war.  Be- 
ing on  the  "Border  land,"  it  was  only  by  his  prudence,  wis- 
dom and  personal  popularity  that  his  large  church  was  held 
together.  Afterward,  when  he  was  in  charge  of  the  North 
Church  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  he  received  his  call  from  Walnut 
Street  Church  in  Evansville,  to  which  he  came  in  1876. 
While  pastor  of  the  North  Church  in  St.  Louis  he  received 
the  title  of  "D.  D."  from  Blackburn  University,  111.  After 
preaching  and  faithfully  discharging  all  his  pastoral  duties 
in  the  Walnut  Street  Church  for  three  years  he  accepted  a 
call  from  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  Ionia,  Michigan, 
from  which  church  militant  he  was  removed  to  the  church 
triumphant,  June  27th,  1880.  The  tablet  erected  to  his 
memory  in  this  church  will  give  a  summary  of  his  charac- 
ter and  the  esteem  in  which  he  lived  and  died.  His  work  as 
a  pastor  was  eminently  successful  in  every  sense  of  the 
word.  He  never  had  a  communion  season  without  addi- 
tions to  the  church.  He  always  left  a  church  united  and 
harmonious,  and  on  leaving  he  always  received  the  most 

61 


Rev.  Chas.  Henry  Foote. 


62 


cordial  expressions  of  regret  from  the  majority  of  the  peo- 
ple. He  was  especially  happy  in  his  work  and  intercourse 
with  young  people  and  his  genial  and  frank  ways  always 
won  the  children.  Mr.  Foote  was  a  cousin  of  Rev.  Henry 
Beecher,  whose  mother's  name  was  Foote. 

The  above  account  was  written  by  an  intimate  friend 
of  Dr.  Foote,  who  says:  "Of  his  work  in  Evansville,  the 
growth  and  prosperity  of  the  church  for  three  years  he 
was  there,  I  need  not  tell  you."  Of  course  the  church  rec- 
ords will  give  a  full  account  of  the  additions  and  official 
work.  The  following  is  a  lac  simile  of  the  inscription  of 
the  tablet  erected  to  his  memory  in  the  church  in  Ionia, 
Michigan,  when  he  was  called  away  from  his  last  pastorate 
duties : 


Tn  memoriam 


CHARLES  H.  FOOTE,  D.  D. 

BORN  JUNE    17TH,    1825. 

ORDAINED  MAY  23D,   1854. 

DIED   JUNE    27TH,    1880. 


An  Able  and  Faithful  Minister  of  Christ.    The 

Beloved   Pastor   of   this   Church 

from  1879  to  1880. 


Intellectual,  Vigorous  and  Original. 
Emotionally  Generous  and  Genial. 
Spiritually     Earnest     and     Energetic. 


'Remember    the    Word    that    I    said    unto    you, 
being,  yet  present  with  you." 


REV.  ALEXANDER   STERRITT. 

Rev.  Alexander  Sterritt  supplied  the  pulpit  for  a  short 
time,  when  there  was  no  regular  pastor.  He  was  an  accept- 
able pastor  of  Grace  Church  for  many  years.  He  was  a 
very  original  preacher,  giving  his  own  views  on  different 
subjects  and  his  own  interpretations  of  passages  of  scrip- 
ture, which  was  an  innovation  seldom  ventured  upon  at  that 
time,  and  though,  to  most  minds,  entirely  orthodox,  might 
in  this  day  when  such  men  as  Dr.  Briggs  are  arraigned,  be 
thought  to  savor  of  heresy.  He  was  a  genial,  jovial  man 
and  a  clever  preacher,  and  was  well  thought  of  by  all  who 
knew  him.  He  is  now  numbered  among  those  who  have 
crossed  over  "to  the  other  side." 


64 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


MR.  JOHN  SHANKLIN. 

Mr.  Shanklin  became  an  Elder  of 
the  church  in  1855.  He  was  one  of  the 
oldest  residents  in  Evansville.  He  was 
born  near  Derry,  in  the  County  Done- 
gal, in  Ireland.  His  father,  John 
Shanklin,  Sr.,  an  Irish  patriot,  lost  his 
life  in  the  rebellion  of  1798,  fighting 
for  his  beloved  country.  In  his  eigh- 
teenth year  Mr.  Shanklin  emigrated  to 
America,  landing  in  New  York  after  a 
voyage  of  six  weeks  in  a  sailing  vessel. 
He  spent  three  years  in  New  York, 
afterward  removing  to  Frankfort,  Ky.,  from  which  place 
he  went  to  Shelbyville  in  the  same  state,  where  he  engaged 
in  teaching  several  years.  Subsequently  he  made  his  home 
in  Louisville,  where  he  made  life-long  acquaintances  and 
friends.  In  1823  he  came  to  Evansville  and  engaged  in 
business  in  which  he  continued,  under  different  firm  names, 
the  last  being  Shanklin  &  Reilly,  till  about  four  years  be- 
fore his  death.  After  his  death  a  city  paper  spoke  of  him 
as  follows : 

"Mr.  Shanklin  began  life  in  Evansville  when  it  was  a 
mere  village.  He  saw  it  grow  into  a  city  with  wide  spread- 
ing commerce  and  wealth.  He  witnessed  in  his  long  life  the 
creating  of  the  railroad  and  the  telegraph,  scarcely 
dreamed  of  when  he  first  came  to  the  place  and  with  these 
creations  the  marvelous  growth  and  development  of  our 
country  in  commerce  and  intellectual  activity.  With  all 
this  his  mind  sympathized  and  kept  pace.  Though  the 
snows  of  eighty-two  winters  had  fallen  about  him,  his  spir- 
its were  buoyant  and  hopeful,  making  his  presence  and 
company  always  genial  and  agreeable  to  the  old  and  young 
alike.  Proverbially  liberal  and  kindhearted  his  hand  was 
ever  ready  to  help  forward  those  who  were  contending  with 
adverse  circumstances.     His  heart  was  always  open  to  the 

65 


cry  of  the  poor  and  distressed  and  with  his  means  he  was 
ever  ready  to  render  them  substantial  aid.  John  Shanklin 
was  no  ordinary  man,  in  his  mature  manhood  his  physical 
powers  of  endurance  were  extraordinary.  The  circum- 
stances in  which  he  and  many  others  in  this  new  country 
were  placed  called  forth  and  developed  the  highest  skill  and 
energy.  A  trip  to  New  York  was  made  by  river,  stage  and 
on  horseback,  and  weeks  and  months  were  spent  in  these 
weary  journeys.  Also  the  southern  trip  to  New  Orleans 
was  equally  tedious,  going  down  on  a  flat  boat  and  return- 
ing by  steamboat.  Persons  in  business  were  obliged  to 
make  these  long  journeys.  During  Mr.  Shanklin's  active 
business  life  he  was  largely  engaged  in  shipping  produce 
to  New  Orleans.  He  was  always  foremost  in  business,  pos- 
sessing the  confidence  of  all  who  were  associated  with  him 
in  the  affairs  of  life,  and  he  never  betrayed  their  trust.  In 
the  church  his  labors  were  supplemented  by  his  devoted 
wife,  and  both  are  held  in  grateful  remembrance.  He  was 
an  Elder  of  the  church  for  over  twenty  years,  and  his  life 
linking  the  past  century-  with  the  present,  closed  full  of 
good  deeds  and  loving  memories.  Of  his  excellence  as  a 
citizen,  his  tenderness  as  a  husband,  his  kindness  as  a  fath- 
er and  his  uprightness  as  a  man,  let  the  hearts  of  his  chil- 
dren and  friends  who  knew  him  best  testify." 


MRS  PHILURA  SHANKLIN. 

Mrs.  Shanklin  was  removed  by 
death  from  a  sphere  of  usefulness  three 
years  previous  to  the  demise  of  her  hus- 
band. She  was  a  native  of  Vermont, 
and  as  Miss  Philura  French,  came  to 
Evansville  in  1831  with  her  sister,  Mrs. 
Calvin  Butler,  and  engaged  in  teaching 
for  three  years  before  her  marriage. 
The  school  house  in  which  she  began 
her  labors  was  a  primitive  log  cabin  on 
the  Princeton  road  near  the  old  farm  of 
Luke  Wood.  She  afterward  taught  in 
Washington,  Ind.  She  was  actively  engaged  in  promoting 
everything  calculated  to  advance  the  prosperity  of  the 
church  of  which  her  brother-in-law  was  pastor  in  Evans- 
ville, and  in  its  connection  began  her  work  in  the  Sabbath 
school.  To  her  belongs  the  honor  of  organizing  ihe  first 
Sabbath  school,  which  was  then  regarded  as  an  innovation 
upon  the  established  customs,  which  did  not  fully  bear  upon 


the  higher  sanctification  of  the  Sabbath.  But  such  was  her 
power  of  fascinating  the  youth  that  it  was  not  long  till 
through  them  she  triumphed  over  the  prejudices  of  the  par- 
ents. Her  interest  in  the  young  people  of  her  day  and  her 
influence  upon  them  was  m  many  instances  very  remark- 
able. Seemingly  she  had  never  forgotten  her  own  youthful 
tastes  and  she  entered  into  and  sympathized  in  all  the  en- 
joyments of  her  young  friends  with  evident  delight  and 
satisfaction.  Her  love  for  children  was  one  of  the  well  re- 
membered traits  in  her  character.  Her  home  was  always  a 
pleasant  rendezvous  for  all  the  young  people  in  the  neigh- 
borhood. To  illustrate  her  desire  to  give  pleasure  to  the 
children  a  little  incident  is  given  by  one  of  her  friends,  who 
said :  "Finding  her  one  day  superintending  the  arrange- 
ment of  the  shrubs  and  flowers  in  her  front  yard,  I  called 
her  attention  to  the  fact  that  the  gardener  was  setting  the 
roses  so  near  the  fence  that  every  passer-by  might  pluck 
them.  She  said  "That  is  just  what  I  want.  If  any  little 
child  that  has  no  flowers  at  home  comes  along,  I  want  him 
to  reach  right  through  the  fence  and  take  them.'  Her  reli- 
gion was  practical  as  well  as  spiritual.  She  comforted  and 
assisted  those  in  distress  and  encouraged  all  who  needed 
strength  to  bear  the  burdens  of  life.  Her  religion  spiritual- 
ly, carried  her  beyond  the  cloudy  visions  of  time,  where  love 
and  beauty  reign  supreme.  She  dwelt  in  the  presence  of 
of  the  grandeur  of  which  St.  Paul  speaks  as  "the  powers  of 
the  world  to  come,"  and  her  aspirations  were  always  for  a 
better  and  higher  life.  She  was  in  sympathy  and  goodfel- 
lowship  with  all  Christians  of  whatever  denomination.  By 
her  death,  not  only  her  particular  friends  were  bereaved, 
but  the  church  to  which  she  belonged  and  the  community 
for  whose  good  she  exercised  her  best  thoughts  and  influ- 
ences. 

Much  more  could  be  said  of  this  good  woman,  but  the 
hand  that  would  indite  these  lines  is  influenced  too  deeply 
by  a  sister's  love  to  be  trusted  to  write  more.  The  love  and 
sympathy  of  a  last  surviving  sister  which  made  life  pleas- 
ant and  desirable  has  passed  away,  and  in  their  place  come 
memories  from  the  shadowy  past  that  no  lapse  of  time  is 
suff"icient  to  dim.  At  this  late  day  the  heart  aches  at  the 
desolation  that  the  removal  of  the  beloved  presence  has 
wrought  and  veils  itself  in  its  sorrow. 


67 


«aA 


Rev.  J.  F.  Adams. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


REV.  J.  Q.  ADAMS. 

Rev.  J.  Q.  Adams  was  a  native  of  the  town  of  Ogden, 
a  few  miles  west  of  Rochester,  N.  Y.  His  parents  were 
New  England  people  and  his  father  was  a  farmer.  He  was 
early  initiated  into  the  hard  work  of  a  farmer's  boy,  and  his 
school  days  were  soon  limited  to  the  four  months  of  the 
winter  term  of  a  district  school.  A  desire  to  secure  an  edu- 
cation possessed  him,  and  he  cannot  remember  the  time 
when  he  did  not  expect  to  become  a  minister.  Under  great 
difficulties  he  prepared  for  college,  much  of  the  work  being 
done  at  home  under  the  guidance  of  an  older  sister.  From 
September,  1868  to  May,  1869,  he  was  a  student  in  the 
academy  connected  with  the  Normal  School  at  Brockport, 
N.  H.  Then,  owing  to  the  sudden  death  of  his  father,  he 
left  school  and  managed  the  farm  until  it  was  sold  in  the 
spring  of  1871.  In  the  meantime,  by  diligent  study,  he  had 
entered  the  University  of  Rochester  in  the  class  of  '74. 
Here  he  pursued  his  studies  and  was  graduated  with  that 
class,  and  from  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Auburn  in 
1877.  Most  of  these  years  he  was  supporting  himself  by 
office  work,  teaching  and  preaching. 

Soon  after  being  graduated  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Clara  Southgate,  of  Rochester,  and  became  stated  supply 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Mexico,  N.  Y.  There  had 
been  much  trouble  in  the  church,  and  his  work  was  to  bring 
together  the  two  .parties  and  consolidate  the  church  for 
work.  Though  holding  a  call  to  the  pastorate,  he  was  not 
installed,  nor  was  he  ordained  until  June,  1878.  Then  the 
Presbytery  of  ■  Syracuse  ordained  him  an  evangelist.  He 
had  previously  been  licensed  in  1876  by  the  Presbytery  of 
Rochester. 

In  November,  1878,  he  accepted  the  invitation  to  be- 
come a  stated  supply  to  the  Walnut  Street  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  Evansville,  and  began  his  work  December  1st. 
At  the  end  of  the  year  he  received  and  accepted  a  call  to 
the  pastorate  and  was  installed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Vin- 

69 


cennes.  Here  he  remained  until  October,  1881.  It  was  a 
pastorate  much  enjoyed  by  him,  and  full  of  work.  A  large 
number  had  been  received  into  the  church  under  Dr.  Foote, 
his  predecessor,  and  his  work  was  largely  in  looking  after 
and  training  the  new  converts.  The  church  was  brought 
into  greater  unity,  and  better  organization  for  work.  Ow- 
ing to  the  failure  of  his  health  he  was  obliged  to  resign,  and 
accepted  a  call  to  become  the  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Boulder,  Colorada. 

Here  new  work  in  laying  foundations  was  thrust  upon 
him.  There  was  a  large  growth  in  every  department  of  the 
church.  It  became  self-supporting  and  stepped  to  the  front 
as  one  of  the  most  vigorous  churches  of  that  region.  The 
demands  of  the  general  work  were  also  numerous. 

In  March,  1884,  he  resigned  this  pastorate  to  accept  a 
call  to  the  Westminster  Presbyterian  Church  of  San  Fran- 
cisco, where  he  is  still  pastor.  Work  in  this  city  is  excep- 
tionally difficult,  and  the  church  to  which  he  came  was  in 
debt,  divided,  sadly  demoralized,  and  few  in  numbers. 
There  has  been  growth  in  many  ways.  It  is  out  of  debt, 
united,  thoroughly  organized,  liberal  and  active  in  every 
good  work.  It  has  one  of  the  best  working  forces  of  young 
people  to  be  found  anywhere.  It  has  the  First  Company 
of  the  Boys'  Brigade  in  the  U.  S.  A.,  which,  in  its  more  than 
two  year's  work,  has  done  much  for  the  boys,  and  is  a  rap- 
idly growing  organization. 

Any  notice  of  this  work  would  be  incomplete  without 
some  reference  to  her,  who  in  every  good  work,  has  been  a 
help-meet,  indeed.  Elder  Samuel  Orr  called  her  "a  model 
pastor's  wife,"  and  as  the  years  have  passed  since  then,  she 
has  not  lost  this  reputation.  To  her  abundant  labors  Mr. 
Adams  owes  much. 


All  that  has  been  said  of  Mrs.  Adams,  meets  with  a 
hearty  response  from  everyone  who  was  blessed  with  her 
acquaintance.  While  her  husband  was  pastor  in  Evansville 
she  won  all  hearts,  her  labors  of  love  and  mercy  were 
"abundant,"  and  she  has  never  been  weary  of  well-doing. 
From  her  far  off  home  in  California,  word  comes  back  that 
the  good  little  woman  is  more  active  than  ever  and  her 
good  influence  among  all  classes  and  especially  among  the 
young  people,  is  being  felt  and  highly  appreciated. 

That  Mr.  Adams  does  "not  remember  when  he  did  not 
expect  to  be  a  minister"  must  have  had  a  powerful  influ- 
ence in  forming  his  character.  His  life  and  mind  must 
have  developed  with  that  gracious  thought,  which  was  evi- 

70 


llev.  Seward  M.  Dodge. 


dent  from  his  purely  spiritual  sermons.  Mr.  Adams  was 
very  highly  respected,  and  his  ill  health,  which  obliged  him 
to  leave,  was  seriously  regretted.  Excellent  reports  of  the 
good  he  is  able  to  accomplish  among  the  rising  generation 
come  to  us,  and  that  his  health  has  improved  in  the  mild 
climate  of  California,  is  very  gratifying  to  his  many 
friends. 


REV.  SEWARD  M.  DODGE. 

Christmas  morning  of  the  year  1881,  the  Rev.  Seward 
M.  Dodge  preached  his  first  sermon  in  the  pulpit  of  Walnut 
Street  Church.  First,  as  stated  supply,  and  afterward  as 
pastor-elect,  he  served  the  church  until  the  last  of  Septem 
ber,  1883,  when  he  departed  for  California  and  became  pas- 
tor of  the  Santa  Rosa  Presbyterian  Church. 

On  the  22d  of  January,  a  month  after  Rev.  Mr. 
Dodge's  arrival  in  Walnut  Street  Church,  a  jubilee  service 
was  held  on  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  building  of  the 
first  church  edifice  erected  ten  years  after  the  organization 
of  the  church,  and  the  debt  $3,000,  which  long  hindered  the 
work  of  the  church,  was  cancelled. 

Only  a  few  days  later.  Elder  Samuel  Orr,  long  the 
main  pillar  of  the  church  and  confidential  adviser  of  every 
pastor,  was  laid  to  rest.  In  the  October  following,  his  be- 
loved wife,  of  sainted  memory,  joined  him.  The  next 
spring  the  old  church  manse  gave  place  to  a  beautiful  brick 
structure,  erected  to  their  memory  by  Mr.  James  Orr  and 
Mrs.  Martha  Bayard. 

During  Mr.  Dodge's  pastorate,  of  less  than  two  years, 
thirty-five  members  were  added  to  the  church — nineteen  on 
confession  of  faith  and  sixteen  by  letter.  Regular  meetings 
were  established  among  the  young  people,  with  whom  Mr. 
Dodge  was  always  in  the  fullest  sympathy,  and  many  re- 
ceived the  spiritual  blessing  of  introduction  to  Christian 
work. 

Though  the  time  was  short  in  which  Mr.  Dodge  re- 
mained with  the  church,  his  work  was  successful,  and  he 
was  appreciated  as  an  honest  and  faithful  worker  in  the 
vineyard  of  the  Lord.  His  talents  were  not  buried,  and  in 
a  quiet,  unpretentious  way  he  went  about  his  Master's  work 
and  when  the  day  of  reckoning  comes  he  will  receive  the 
plaudit:  'Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  into 
the  joy  of  the  Lord." 


CHAPTER  XV. 


MR.  SAMUEL  ORR. 

In  a  note  from  the  Rev.  Seward  M. 
Dodge,  he  says,  "Much  of  sorrow  as 
well  as  joy  was  crowded  into  the  few 
short  months  I  spent  in  Evansville." 
No  sadder  event  ever  occured  in  the 
church  than  the  death  of  one  of  its  old- 
est and  best  beloved  Elders,  Mr.  Samuel 
Orr,  which  took  place  during  the  time 
when  Mr.  Dodge  was  pastor.  The 
name  of  this  good  man  brings  pleasant 
memories  to  every  one  who  knew  him. 
He  had  all  the  qualities  which  make  a 
man  respected  and  honored  in  every 
walk  of  life — as  a  business  man,  a  phil- 
anthropist, a  Christian  and  a  personal  friend. 

Mr.  Samuel  Orr  emigrated  from  Ireland  in  1833,  and 
after  two  years  spent  in  Pittsburg,  he  came  to  Evansville, 
where  he  engaged  in  business  and  afterwards  became  one 
of  ths  largest  dealers  in  iron  in  the  West.  He  was  an  hon- 
est man,  and  was  eminently  successful  in  the  accumlation 
of  wealth,  which  seemed  a  well  merited  reward  for  his  per- 
severing energy  and  his  upright  dealings  with  all  men.  Be- 
nevolence was  one  of  his  most  prominent  characteristics; 
the  poor  and  needy  were  never  refused  aid  when  an  appeal 
was  made  to  his  kind  heart  ,and  among  this  class  the  sin- 
cerest  grief  was  felt  when  he  was  called  away.  The  "Ev- 
ansville Courier"  said  of  him : 

"He  was  personally  known  to  a  larger  number  of  men, 
women  and  children,  perhaps,  than  any  man  who  has  ever 
lived  in  this  community,  and  their  knowledge  of  him  was 
not  merely  that  of  an  acquamtance,  but  of  deep  personal 
attachment." 

It  can  be  truly  said  of  Samuel  Orr  that  his  kindness 
was  universal ;  that  his  bounty  was  freely  given  whenever 
necessity  or  sorrow  laid  claim  to  it.     The  last  prominent 


scene  in  which  he  was  an  actor  occured  about  two  weeks  be- 
fore his  death,  the  occasion  being  the  semi-centennial  an- 
niversary of  the  Wahiut  Street  Church.  After  an  eloquent 
discourse  by  the  Rev.  Seward  Dodge,  who  had  just  entered 
upon  his  duty  as  pastor,  it  was  proposed  to  clear  the  church 
debt  by  subscription.  With  that  liberality  which  has  al- 
ways characterized  his  actions  in  every  worthy  cause,  and 
that  has  particularly  lent  emphasis  and  sincerity  to  his 
church  loyalty,  Samuel  Orr  subscribed  about  one-fourth  of 
the  amount  necessary,  in  this  way  giving  such  stimulus  to 
the  movement  that  in  a  few  minutes  the  required  amount 
was  raised.  No  one  was  present  who  will  ever  forget  his 
cheering  words  on  that  occasion,  now  doubly  memorable 
for  the  sad  sequel  of  the  great  sorrow  that  followed.  He 
appeared  in  his  usual  health  and  his  cheerful  nature  was 
never  seen  to  greater  advantage.  "This  day's  work,"  he 
said,  "lifts  a  great  burden  from  my  heart ;  I  have  always 
wished  that  this  debt  might  be  paid  during  my  life." 

Alas!  That  the  end  should  have  come  so  soon  after 
this  happy  fruition  of  his  hope.  He  goes  down,  not  over 
weighted  with  years  it  is  true,  but  having  fulfilled  a  career 
that  was  full  of  noble  deeds  that  will  be  recalled  with  fra- 
grant memories.  No  reproaches  will  follow  him  into  the 
mysterious  future  which  all  men  must  sometime  explore, 
and  he  leaves  behind  him  a  name  that  will  always  be  rev- 
erenced as  an  example  to  be  emulated  and  beloved." 


MRS.  SAMUEL  ORR. 

The  honored  and  beloved  wife  of 
Mr.  Orr  deserves  a  place  in  this  volume. 
She  was  married  to  Samuel  Orr  before 
leaving  Ireland.  Reared  with  sterling 
principles,  in  the  atmosphere  of  the  old 
Scotch  Presbyterianism,  she  was  a  firm 
defender  of  the  faith,  and  her  conscien- 
tious and  useful  life  was  a  grand  monu- 
ment to  the  teachings  of  her  early  days 
and  her  memory  is  as  fresh  in  the 
hearts  of  those  who  knew  her  as  the 

green  sod  from  which  she  emigrated. 

A  few  lines  from  the  editor  of  the  Evansville  Tribune, 

who  knew  her  from  his  childhood,  shows  the  place  she  held 

in  the  aff'ections  of  her  friends. 

He  says :     "To  the  writer  she  was  very  dear,  the  kind 

words  and  friendly  advice  she  often  gave  him  when  a  mere 

child,  the  interest  she  has  always  shown  in  him,  after  he  ar- 


rived  at  man's  estate,  are  cherished  never  to  be  forgotten. 
She  was  truly  a  noble  woman  and  her  life  was  a  long  suc- 
cession of  good  deeds — a  kind  charitable  Christian  woman, 
numbering  her  friends  as  well  among  those  in  the  humble 
walks  of  life  as  among  those  upon  whom  fortune  had 
smiled.  Her  church  was  next  to  her  home,  the  dearest  spot 
on  earth  to  her,  and  as  long  as  her  strength  would  permit 
she  was  never  absent  from  her  pew.  She  has  gone  to  her 
Maker,  gone  to  the  spot  at  His  foot  stool  that  awaited  her 
coming." 

Of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Orr,  it  truly  can  be  said,  the  mantle 
of  these  worthy  people  has  fallen  on  their  only  son  and 
daughter,  Mr.  James  Orr  and  Mrs,  Martha  Bayard,  who 
are  well  fitted  to  fill  out  lives  that  will  honor  their  venerable 
parents.  They  have  built  a  beautiful  Parsonage  on  Wal- 
nut Street  on  the  lot  adjoining  the  church,  sacred  to  the 
memory  of  their  father  and  mother. 


MRS.  JANE  FARRELL. 

Mrs.  Farrell,  a  sister  of  Mrs.  Orr, 
is  the  oldest  member  of  the  church,  and 
one  of  the  precious  links  that  connect 
the  past  with  the  present.  She  remem- 
bers much  of  Evansville  in  early  times 
and  likes  to  recall  the  scenes  and  events 
of  long  ago. 

Mrs.  Farrell  came  to  America  from 
Ireland,  as  Mrs.  McDonald,  more  than 
forty  years  ago  and  became  acquainted 
with  pioneer  life,  the  first  few  years 
having  been  spent  in  the  country  near 
Evansville.  There  were  many  privations  to  be  endured  in 
the  new  settlements  at  that  time,  and  often  misfortunes. 
After  being  comfortably  settled  in  a  home,  her  house,  with 
all  its  contents  was  consumed  by  fire ;  not  long  after,  hav- 
ing again  secured  a  pleasant  home,  she  was  bereaved  of  her 
husband,  who  in  attempting  to  cross  a  stream  which  he  was 
usually  able  to  ford,  a  late  rain  having  swollen  it,  he  rode 
into  the  stream  and  was  drowned.  Her  trials  were  all 
borne  as  only  a  brave  woman  can  bear  trouble.  She  re- 
moved to  town,  and  after  several  years  she  was  married  to 
Mr.  John  Farrell,  since  deceased.  She  has  always  been  a 
staunch  Presbyterian,  and  her  interest  in  the  church  at  her 
advanced  age  is  unabated.     When  the  weather  is  not  un- 


pleasant,  Sabbath  morning  finds  her  in  her  pew  listening 
to  the  words  of  truth  and  righteousness. 

Mrs.  Farrell  has  never  forgotten  her  home  across  the 
sea,  and  she  keeps  herself  well  informed  in  regard  to  its 
present  history  as  well  as  that  of  the  earliest  periods.  Her 
fondness  for,  and  knowledge  of  history  is  quite  remarkable ; 
she  remembers  more  about  the  crowned  heads  of  Great  Bri- 
tain and  their  descendants  than  almost  anyone,  and  is  often 
referred  to  by  her  friends  in  matters  of  this  kind.  She  is 
fond  of  reading  and  society,  and  the  down-hill  of  life  is 
made  pleasant  for  her  by  the  host  of  loving  friends  who  en- 
joy her  society,  and  she  still  retains  an  interest  in  them  and 
the  affairs  of  life,  which  makes  her  time  pass  pleasantly 
and  happily  away. 

"Cheerful  as  the  day  declines, 
Cares  depart  with  setting  sun, 

Peace  and  trust  now  fill  the  mind 
Till  life's  earthly  sands  are  run." 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


HON.  JOHN  W.  FOSTER. 

Among  those  who  have  in  years  past 
removed  from  Evansville  and  have  been 
very  much  missed  in  the  church  and  so- 
ciety, are  the  Hon  John  W.  Foster  and 
his  excellent  wife.  During  the  civil  war, 
as  Colonel  of  a  regiment  and  command- 
er of  a  cavalry  brigade  in  Burnside's 
army,  John  W.  Foster  was  a  leader  in 
the  service  of  his  country  and  won  the 
honors  which  were  afterward  conferred 
upon  him.  Seldom  has  any  man  so 
secured    the    confidence    of    the    head 


of  the  nation  as  to  receive  three  so  important  appointments 
as  were  given  him.  He  v/as  eleven  years  Foreign  Minister 
of  the  United  States,  first  to  Mexico,  afterwards  to  Russia, 
and  lastly  to  Spain.  From  1866  to  1873  Col.  Foster  was 
editor  of  a  daily  paper  in  Evansville.  He  lived  in  Cincin- 
nati perhaps  two  years  after  the  war,  and  was  a  ruling  El- 
der in  the  Lane  Seminary  Church,  Walnut  Hills,  and  also 
in  the  Walnut  Street  Church,  Evansville,  and  now  in  the 
New  York  Avenue  Church,  Washington,  D.  C. 

To  the  memory  of  their  children  who  died  in  Evans- 


ville,  Col.  and  Mrs.  Foster  have  erected  a  beautiful  little 
church,  at  the  corner  of  Elsas  Avenue  and  Delaware  Street, 
where  a  mission  school  has  been  established  by  Rev.  L.  M. 
Gilleland,  formerly  of  Walnut  Street  Church.  There  has 
been  no  regularly  organized  church  there  as  yet,  ministers 
of  other  churches  supplying  the  pulpit  every  Sabbath. 

Evansville  has  a  right  to  congratulate  herself  on  being 
able  to  send  out  into  the  world  men  who  become  not  only 
nationally  distinguished,  but  those  who  are  valuable  mem- 
bers of  the  community  where  they  reside  and  whose  influ- 
ence is  only  for  good. 

Since  the  writing  of  this  sketch.  Gen.  Foster  has  won 
added  laurels  in  the  diplomatic  field.     Hewhiuo 

Since  the  writing  of  this  book.  Gen.  Foster  has  now 
added  laurels  in  the  diplomatic  field. 

He  was  a  member  of  many  important  Commissions : 

Reciprocity  Mission  to  Spain — 1890. 

Behring  Sea  Arbitration — 1891. 

Secretary  of  State  under  President  Harrison — 1892. 

Fur  Seal  Conference— 1897. 

Joint  High  Commission  Canadian  Affairs — 1898. 

Hague  Peace  Conference — 1906. 

Alaska  Boundary  Commission — 1908. 

Peace  Mission  to  Japan  in  the  interests  of  China  after 
Chinese-Japanese  War — 1894. 

His  home  was  in  Washington,  D.  C,  where  he  was  an 
elder  in  the  church  and  a  Bible  School  teacher,  a  friend  and 
supporter  of  Missions,  and  a  leader  in  all  philanthropic 
work,  until  his  death  in  1917. 


MRS.  ELIZA  J.  McMERSON. 

Mrs.  McFerson  is  the  mother  of  Mrs.  John  W.  Foster, 
and  also  one  of  the  early  members  of  the  church.  Hearing 
her  at  one  time  relate  some  of  her  early  history,  the  writer 
was  led  to  think  that  the  strong  minded  women  of  this  day 
possibly  believe  that  they  are  something  new  in  the  world, 
and  that  they  are  quite  in  advance  of  all  their  predecessors ; 
perhaps  they  are,  in  making  plans  of  what  women  ought  to 
do,  but  the  thought  arose,  has  any  one  of  them  done  more 
that  is  really  heroic  than  Mrs.  McFerson.  The  ambition 
and  perseverance  of  a  young  woman  of  that  early  time  of 
which  she  writes  below,  was  remarkable.  One  who  could 
accomplish  so  much  in  the  way  of  educating  herself  when 
so  few  facilities  were  enjoyed,  is  an  example  worthy  of 
emulation.     It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  account  solicited  for. 


this  book  will  encourage  the  young  people,  whatever  their 
circumstances  may  be,  to  qualify  themselves  for  any  emer- 
gency that  may  overtake  them,  by  obtaining  a  thorough 
education,  and  that  the  faint-hearted  who  would  give  up  in 
time  of  trouble  to  despondency,  will  take  courage  from  this 
example  and  as  bravely  defy  misfortune  as  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  has  done. 

Carlyle  says:  "The  past  is  holier,  the  farther  we  go 
from  it."  And  a  person  can  imagine  the  emotion  experi- 
enced by  one  who  after  passing  the  three  score  and  ten 
years  allotted  to  her,  sits  down  and  recalls  the  scenes  of 
a  long  and  eventful  life.  Mrs.  McFerson  is  a  strong  char- 
acter, and  her  influence  is  felt  wherever  she  is  known.  Hav- 
ing been  the  wife  of  a  minister,  she  feels  a  deep  interst  in 
the  church,  and  her  opinions  are  of  value  in  all  matters  per- 
taining to  it.  She  is  now  able  to  rest  from  the  arduous 
duties  of  life,  and  passes  her  time  pleasantly  with  her 
daughter  in  Washington,  and  her  son,  Mr.  Theodore  Mc- 
Ferson, in  Evansville,  calling  the  latter  place  her  home. 

A  good  idea  can  be  gathered  from  the  following  sketch, 
by  men  of  large  families,  who  are  not  able  to  educate  all 
their  children.  Let  them  try  the  plan  of  educating  one, 
and  let  that  one  teach  the  rest.  In  New  England,  fifty 
years  ago,  it  was  painful  to  see  the  effort  made  to  educate 
one  child  for  a  profession  while  the  others  were  neglected 
and  allowed  to  look  up  to  the  educated  one  as  a  superior. 
Mr.  Ezra  Reed,  the  father  of  Mrs.  McFerson,  was  a  New 
Englander,  but  his  coming  west  perhaps  developed  this  new 
idea  which  proved  a  success. 

Mrs.  McFerson  says:  "I  was  born 
January  1st,  1818,  near  Urbana,  Ohio. 
My  father  was  from  Massachusetts,  my 
mother  from  Maine.  My  father  built 
the  first  brick  house  in  the  region  of 
country  where  he  settled;  and  was  the 
wonder  of  all  the  inhabitants,  inasmuch 
as  he  sent  all  of  his  boys  to  college,  six 
of  whom  were  older  than  myself.  The 
neighbors  spoke  of  my  brothers  as 
"college  head."  A  room  was  set  apart 
in  my  father's  house  for  study,  in  which 
we  gathered.  As  one  after  another  of  the  sons  finished  his 
college  course,  and  was  studying  his  profession,  the  first 
year  in  private,  he  would  take  charge  of  the  study  room, 
and  prepare  the  next  younger  to  enter  the  regular  college 
class.    Here  I  sat  as  a  little  girl  learning  my  lesson.     I  was 

78 


taught  to  read  by  my  grandmother,  on  my  father's  side, 
before  I  was  four  years  old.  My  mother  died  before  I  was 
five  years  old. 

"When  I  was  eight  years  of  age  my  oldest  brother  took 
me  with  him  to  Athens,  he  having  graduated  and  become  a 
tutor  in  the  Ohio  University.  He  immediately  put  me  to 
studying  Latin  grammar,  hearing  me  recite  at  noon  and  in 
the  evening;  he  drilled  me  month  after  month  on  the  de- 
clension of  the  nouns,  pronouns,  adjectives  and  conjugation 
of  verbs  so  that  they  remain  with  me  until  this  day;  the 
lessons  were  learned  on  Saturday  as  on  other  days,  and 
on  every  Sabbath  afternoon  a  hymn  or  Psalm  or  both. 

"About  the  time  I  had  mastered  the  Latin  grammar 
my  brother,  hearing  that  a  cultivated  French  family  had 
come  over  and  settled  a  few  miles  from  Athens,  concluded 
to  place  me  in  their  charge  to  learn  that  language.  Only 
one  member  of  the  family  spoke  English;  they  taught  me 
to  ask  for  everything  in  French,  and  paid  no  attention  if  I 
spoke  in  English.  I  suffered  untold  agonies  in  the  woods 
with  these  strangers,  speaking  only  in  a  foreign  tongue.  I 
remained  here  several  months. 

"Occasionally,  when  not  convenient  for  my  brothers  to 
instruct  me,  I  went  to  school ;  the  study  and  discipline  here 
was  mere  play  compared  with  what  they  required  of  me. 

"At  the  age  of  fourteen,  I  was  sent  to  the  Marietta  Fe- 
male Seminary,  conducted  by  some  Eastern  ladies,  remain- 
ing during  two  school  years ;  here  I  studied  arithmetic,  his- 
tory, botany  and  other  branches  taught  in  the  best  female 
schools  of  that  day.  I  returned  to  Athens  in  the  latter  part 
of  my  fifteenth  year,  making  my  home  with  my  oldest 
brother,  who  was  then  married  and  was  Professor  of  Latin 
and  Greek  in  the  University.  The  brother  next  older  than 
myself  was  then  a  student  in  the  college,  and  with  him  I 
commenced  the  study  of  geometry  (old  Euclid).  After  I 
had  mastered  the  first  book  containing  forty-nine  proposi- 
tions, my  brother.  Prof.  Read,  said  he  was  going  to  ask  the 
Professor  of  Mathematics  to  review  me.  He  was  a  severe 
man,  a  graduate  of  West  Point,  who  said  that  women  had 
not  sense  enough  to  master  higher  mathematics,  so  I  trem- 
bled, but  did  not  dare  to  object.  I  stood  at  the  black-board 
two  or  three  hours,  reciting  every  proposition  in  the  first 
book.  The  Professor  praised  me  to  his  college  classes,  say- 
ing I  had  done  more  than  they  could  do,  as  he  had  not  re- 
quired so  much  of  them.  He  afterwards  said  that  he  would 
like  to  have  me  study  algebra  with  him,  as  I  would  need  it 
as  I  went  on  in  geometry ;  this  I  did,  two  of  my  friends  join- 
ing me.     During  these  years  I  read  Latin,  (Cicero,  Virgil, 

79 


etc.)  with  my  brother,  Prof.  Read,  French  with  a  brother 
fond  of  the  modern  languages,  and  studied  mathematics 
with  another,  devoted  to  that  branch  of  study.  I  found  a 
letter,  a  few  weeks  since,  written  by  the  last  named,  fifty- 
six  years  ago,  in  which  he  said:  'Improve  your  time,  read 
history — occasionally,  a  good  novel,  and  don't  neglect  to 
look  over  your  algebra  and  geometry.' 

"I  had  not  thought  of  becoming  a  teacher,  but  when 
about  nineteen  years  of  age,  our  pastor  suddenly  resigned 
his  position  over  the  church.  His  wife,  a  New  England 
teacher,  had  opened  a  young  ladies'  school,  and  was  in  the 
middle  of  a  term.  She  came  to  me  to  complete  her  term; 
this  I  agreed  to  do  with  fear  and  trembling,  as  many  of  my 
own  acquaintances  were  in  the  school,  some  Older  than  my- 
self. After  I  had  taught  a  few  days,  this  minister  con- 
cluded to  remain.  His  wife  came  to  me  again,  wanting  her 
school.  I  was  ready  to  yield,  but  my  pupils  objected.  I 
taught  two  years,  after  which  time  I  was  married  to  Rev. 
Alexander  McFerson,  who  had  been  a  student  at  Athens. 
I  was  married  at  Urbana,  and  went  with  my  husband  to 
Salem,  Ind.,  where  he  had  been  in  charge  of  a  church  for 
a  few  months.  My  father  took  us  in  his  carriage  to  Day- 
ton, Ohio,  from  thence  we  went  by  canal  to  Cincinnati,  by 
river  to  Louisville,  by  stage  to  Salem.  My  husband  had 
preached  here  six  years,  when  he  caught  a  violent  cold  from 
riding  ten  miles  in  a  snow  storm,  to  fill  an  appointment  for 
preaching ;  this  brought  on  inflammatory  rheumatism, 
which  caused  his  death.  I  was  left  a  widow  at  twenty- 
seven,  with  three  babies,  the  oldest  not  five  years,  the 
youngest  two  months  old. 

"We  had  a  sweet  little  home  of  our  own,  a  cow,  horse 
and  carriage,  but  support  was  cut  ofi"  when  my  husband 
died.  Two  brothers,  one  a  Supreme  Judge  in  Ohio,  the 
other  a  Naval  Officer,  came  to  see  me ;  they  were  distressed 
at  my  condition,  and  said :  'What  can  you  do  but  take  these 
babies  and  go  to  father,  your  brothers  will  supply  you  with 
the  money  you  need.'  They  left  me  $50,  quite  a  gift  for 
those  times.  I  did  not  tell  them  what  I  would  do,  but  as  I 
thought  over  the  matter,  concluded  that  I  did  not  choose  to 
be  dependent,  giving  my  children  only  the  advantages  they 
pleased  to  allow ;  so  when  my  baby  was  six  months  old,  I 
cleared  out  my  parlor,  put  in  desks  and  opened  a  school. 
After  teaching  here  a  year  I  was  invited  to  take  charge  of 
the  Female  Seminary,  at  Bloomingion,  Ind.,  where  my  old- 
est brother  was  then  Professor  of  Languages  in  the  State 
University.  I  took  charge  here  when  my  baby  was  eighteen 
months  old.     Before  doing  so  I  went  to  Cincinnati  to  look 

80 


into  schools,  to  see  if  there  were  any  new  methods  of  teach- 
ing or  new  text  books.  I  brought  teachers  from  the  East, 
one  a  fine  musician.  There  was  but  one  piano  in  the  place 
before  my  own  arrival.  I  had  a  school  of  one  hundred 
young  ladies,  many  coming  from  a  distance  with  brothers 
who  came  to  college.  I  introduced  singing  and  calisthenics 
into  my  school,  which  were  quite  new  then,  and  added  in- 
terest. 

"I  kept  house  with  my  children  and  teachers,  superin- 
tending all  myself,  and  teaching  six  hours  every  day.  After 
a  few  years,  during  my  fall  vacation,  I  took  a  trip  East  to 
visit  the  best  schools;  this  was  before  the  days  of  many 
railroads.  I  visited  the  State  Normal  school  at  Albany,  N. 
Y.,  also  the  best  schools  in  Hartford,  Conn.  Here  I  met 
and  consulted  with  Miss  Kate  Beecher,  who  was  much  in- 
terested in  education,  and  was  connected  with  a  society  for 
sending  teachers  to  the  West. 

"I  also  visited  the  old  Ipswich  and  Mt.  Holyoke  Sem- 
inaries. At  Ipswich  I  learned  some  new  methods  for  in- 
teresting my  girls  in  spelling,  an  important  branch  of  edu- 
cation. 

"I  remained  ten  years  in  Bloomington,  educating  my 
own  children,  as  well  as  some  orphan  girls;  two  from  Sa- 
lem, whom  I  kept  in  my  family  several  years.  All  the  min- 
isters' daughters  of  the  place  were  received  into  my  school 
without  charge  for  tuition.  My  brother  used  to  say  to  me : 
'I  think  if  you  support  and  educate  your  own  children,  you 
will  be  doing  well  without  educating  others  free."  I  was 
not  dependent  upon  brothers,  or  any  one  else,  and  could  do 
as  I  wished.  I  never  received  aid  from  my  family  during 
the  years  I  was  bringing  up  and  educating  my  children, 
amounting  to  one  hundred  dollars;  it  was  not  necessary. 
I  perhaps,  have  not  had  as  much  sympathy  for  helpless  wo- 
men as  I  should  have,  but  all  cannot  help  themselves.  I 
had  opportunities  in  my  younger  days  to  prepare  myself  for 
this  work,  and  God  blessed  me  with  health,  and  strength, 
and  energy. 

"I  taught  in  Bloomington  ten  years,  then  went  with 
Dr.  Monfort  as  Lady  Principal,  to  Glendale,  where  I  re- 

81 


82 


mained  five  years,  until  I  was  called  to  Evansville  to  be 
with  my  daughter,  (married  and  settled  there),  whilst  her 
husband  went  to  the  army. 

"I  taught  eighteen  years  of  my  life,  and  don't  remem- 
ber that  during  that  time  I  was  absent  from  school  a  single 
day,  on  account  of  illness. 

"I  feel  today  like  saying  with  the  Psalmist:  'Bless  the 
Lord,  0,  my  soul ;  and  all  that  is  within  me,  bless  His  holy 
name.' 

E.  J.  McFerson." 


CH'APTER  XVII. 


MRS.  E.  T.  DREW,  NOW  MRS.  BARNES. 

Persons  who  read  this  volume  will  expect  to  see  the 
familiar  name  of  Mrs.  Drew  in  its  pages;  though  mention 
has  been  made  of  her  before  under  the  name  of  Mrs. 
Barnes,  it  will  not  quite  satisfy  those  in  whose  heart  she 
occupies  so  large  a  place  not  to  find  any  further  mention  of 
her.  Mrs.  Drew,  as  we  still  like  to  call  her,  because  it 
brings  pleasant  memories,  was  a  native  of  Hartford,  Conn., 
and  was  educated  in  Montreal,  Canada,  to  which  place  her 
parents  had  removed.  She  was  a  niece  of  Arthur  and  Wm. 
B.  Tappan,  who  were  celebrated  in  their  day,  both  for  their 
anti-slavery  views  and  for  rare  intelligence  and  influence 
in  New  England.  The  latter  was  also  a  poet,  some  of  the 
best  hymns  sung  in  our  churches  having  been  written  by 
him.  Mrs.  Drew  came  to  Evansville  more  than  forty  years 
ago,  and  was  so  associated  with  the  church  and  all  its  be- 
longings, that  when  she  left  for  a  home  in  New  Orleans, 
she  was  missed  in  every  department  of  it,  as  well  as  in  al- 
most every  household.  Few  persons  have  done  with  their 
own  hands  so  many  acts  of  kindness  as  she  has  done,  all 
of  which  it  seemed  her  greatest  pleasure  to  perform. 

How  many  weary  nights  she  has  watched  by  the  bed- 
side of  the  sick  and  suffering,  even  breaking  down  her  own 
health  in  this  way,  her  labors  at  one  time  resulting  in  a  long- 
illness.  No  home  where  there  was  trouble  was  long  without 
her  kindly  offices.  She  was  always  ready  for  loving  and 
generous  deeds,  which  were  worth  far  more  than  money 
to  the  recipients — making  clothing  for  the  destitute  and 
helping  all  who  needed  help.  Mrs.  Drew  was  strictly  ob- 
servant of  all  her  church  duties,  never  failing  to  be  found 
in  her  accustomed  place  at  its  services,  without  regard  to 

83 


the  weather,  sickness  alone  preventing  her  faithful  attend- 
ance. She  was  for  many  years  a  manager  of  the  Industrial 
School  of  which  Mrs.  Samuel  Bayard  was  the  president; 
also  a  manager  of  the  Home  of  the  Friendless.  The  Sunday 
School,  Missionary  Society  and  every  other  good  work  had 
her  sympathy  and  support.  Time  did  not  dampen  her  ar- 
dor or  energy  for  the  accomplishment  of  any  good  object, 
she  was  as  ready  at  seventy  years  of  age  to  engage  in  any 
new  plan  for  the  benefit  of  others  as  she  had  been  many 
years  before.  Her  whole  life  was  given  to  making  everyone 
happy,  and  this  she  accomplished,  in  a  great  measure,  by 
always  being  employed  in  kind  and  loving  acts.  Numerous 
mementoes  of  her  affectionate  regard  are  cherished  keep- 
sakes in  the  homes  of  her  friends.  Her  example  of  cheer- 
fulness and  her  disposition  to  look  on  the  bright  side  of 
every  event,  was  also  a  source  of  happiness  to  others,  and 
she  was  a  person  of  whose  society  one  never  grew  weaiy. 
Her  friends  rejoice  to  know  that  she  is  happy  as  Mrs, 
Barnes,  in  her  beautiful  home  in  Marietta,  Ohio,  among 
new  and  kind  friends. 


CHAPTER  XVni. 


PROFESSOR  TINKER. 

Milton  Z.  Tinker  was  born  in 
Kingsville,  Ashtabula  county,  Ohio, 
June  25th,  1834.  His  youth  was  spent 
in  the  ordinary  routine  of  a  farm  labor- 
er. He  assisted  upon  the  farm  during 
the  summer,  and  attended  school  dur- 
ing the  winter.  In  the  former  capacity 
he  laid  well  the  foundation  for  a  sound, 
physical  constitution,  such  as  only  agri- 
cultural pursuits  can  give. 

He  spent  most  of  his  leisure  mo- 
ments in  the  study  of  music,  applying 
himself  diligently  in  all  of  the  several  departments,  especi- 
ally in  that  of  voice  culture.  He  was  a  regular  attendant 
upon  the  exercise  of  the  old-fashioned  singing  school,  musi- 
cal institute  and  musical  convention,  thereby  securing  every 
advantage  to  be  gained  which  these  gatherings  afforded. 

In  the  fall  of  1854  he  commenced  teaching  his  first  day- 
school,  at  a  salary  of  $12  per  month,  for  a  term  of  five 

84 


months,  and,  as  the  custom  was  then,  "boarded  around" 
the  district.  He  gave  instructions  to  singing-  classes  at 
night  in  the  communities  where  he  was  teaching,  a  prac- 
tice he  continued  for  four  successive  years. 

On  the  first  of  May,  1858,  he  went  to  Chicago  and  en- 
tered the  Normal  Musical  Institute,  of  Messrs.  Bradbury 
&  Cady,  and  took  a  thorough  five  months'  course  upon  prac- 
tical teaching,  including  the  subject  of  harmony  and  voice 
training. 

He  at  once  began  the  work  of  conducting  singing 
classes,  musical  institutes,  and  musical  conventions.  Suc- 
cess crowned  his  efforts  at  all  of  the  places  he  visited. 

In  the  fall  of  1863  he  was  employed  by  the  Board  of 
Education  of  the  city  of  Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  to  introduce 
and  superintend  the  instruction  of  vocal  music  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  that  city.  Continuing  the  work  in  Terre 
Haute  until  1867,  he  then  resigned  and  accepted  a  like  posi- 
tion from  the  Board  of  Education  of  the  city  of  Evansville, 
Ind.  He  commenced  the  work  in  Evansville  on  the  first  of 
September,  1867  ,and  has  held  the  position  continuously 
during  a  period  of  nearly  twenty-five  years. 

He  united  with  the  Walnut  Street  Presbyterian  Church 
in  1869.  In  the  fall  of  1870  he  succeeded  Mr.  Theo.  Russell, 
as  leader  of  the  choir,  and  still  holds  this  position.  He  has 
been  the  leader  of  the  Philharmonic  Society,  the  Lyric  So- 
ciety, and  the  Ideal  Opera  Club.  He  has,  at  all  times,  been 
identified  with  every  movement  which  had  for  its  object 
the  musical  advancement  of  the  people  of  Evansville. 

The  choir  of  Walnut  Street  Church  has  been  fortunate 
in  having  so  competent  a  leader  for  so  many  years  as  Prof. 
Tinker.  Father  Chute  was  the  first  person  who  led  the 
choir,  and  soon  after  him  Col.  C.  K.  Drew,  Sr.,  who  in  the 
"Little  Church  on  the  Hill,"  played  on  the  bass-viol  the  ac- 
companiment to  the  sacred  songs  of  Zion.  His  son  Col.  C. 
K.  Drew,  Jr.,  who  now  resides  in  New  Orleans,  was  the  or- 
ganist after  the  new  church  was  built.  Miss  Amelia  Law- 
rence, Mrs.  Maclean,  Miss  Laura  Thompson,  Miss  Talbot 
and  Mr.  Arnold  Habbe,  have  filled  the  position  of  organist, 
which  Mrs.  Millis  now  occupies.  More  atention  has  been 
given  to  music  in  the  last  twenty  years  than  it  received 
during  fifty  years  before  in  Evansville.  In  1836  the  first 
piano  was  brought  to  the  place,  and  for  fifteen  years  after, 
there  was  but  one  teacher  who  gave  lessons  on  that  instru- 
ment. 

No  one  has  contributed  more  to  the  entertainment  and 
advancement  of  the  community,  in  its  music,  than  Prof. 

85 


Tinker.  His  connection  with  the  public  schools,  as  well  as 
with  the  church,  has  accomplished  this.  It  is  impossible 
to  estimate  the  good  that  has  been  derived  from  his  ser- 
vices for  the  many  years  past,  in  which  he  has  trained  the 
youth  in  the  divine  art.  Who  can  say  how  the  undeveloped 
minds  of  the  young  have  been  elevated  and  inspired  to  the 
pursuit  of  the  chaste  and  ennobling  avocations  of  life  by 
his  teaching?  The  little  untutored  urchin  in  the  public 
school,  in  whose  home  music's  sweetest  strains  are  never 
heard,  and  where,  perhaps,  only  discordant  sounds  have  met 
his  ear,  is  charmed  with  the  sweet  songs  he  hears  in  school, 
all  breathing  of  purity  and  love,  his  little  heart  is  broken 
up  and  the  good  seed  is  sown  in  it  which  will  bring  forth 
fruit  such  as  never  before  grew  about  his  humble  home. 
Music  is  the  solace  of  life.  Who  that  has  been  jostled 
through  its  rough  highways  and  filled  with  care  and  anxi- 
ety, does  not  gratefully  welcome  the  strains  of  some  old 
familiar  song?     It  calms  and  rests  his  weary  soul. 

The  music  of  the  present  day  is  more  artistic  than  the 
songs  of  "Lang  Syne,"  but  the  latter  will  never  lose  their 
charm ;  their  notes  strike  a  chord  in  the  heart  which  will 
ever  vibrate  with  pleasure  to  the  sound.  We  may  be 
charmed  with  the  brilliant  compositions  of  the  greatest 
composers,  we  may  drink  in  the  melody  of  the  most  gifted 
songstress,  but  there  are  no  sweeter  strains  to  us  than 
those  we  first  learned  to  love. 

"I  remember  a  song  whose  numbers  throng 

As  sweetly  in  memory's  twighlight  hour, 
As  the  voice  of  the  blest  in  the  realms  of  rest. 

Or  the  sparkle  of  dew  on  a  dreaming  flower. 
T'is  a  simple  air,  but  when  others  depart 

Like  an  angle's  whisper  it  clings  to  my  heart. 
That  song,  that  song,  that  old,  sweet  song, 

I  gather  it  up  like  a  golden  chain — 
Link  by  link,  as  to  slumber  I  sink. 

And  link  by  link  when  I  awake  again ; 
I  shall  hear  it  I  know  when  the  last  deep  rest 

Shall  fold  me  close  to  the  earth's  dark  breast." 


86 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


REV.  LELAND  GILLELAND,  D.  D. 

In  1884  Dr.  Gilleland  was  called  to  supply  the  pulpit 
of  Walnut  Street  Church.  On  his  first  appearanc  in  the 
sacred  desk  he  captured  the  hearts  of  his  hearers  by  his 
earnest  and  enthusiastic  preaching,  and  throughout  the 
time  that  he  remained  with  this  people  they  never  lost  their 
interest  in  his  sermons,  and  in  almost  every  household  they 
were  the  subject  of  conversation  when  the  service  was  over. 
It  is  impossible  to  estimate  the  extent  of  value  of  the  good 
work  accomplished  during  the  six  years  that  he  remained  in 
connection  with  the  church.  Dr.  Gilleland  came  to  Evans- 
ville  from  Tideout,  Penn.,  and  previous  to  his  residence 
there  he  had  lived  in  White  Pigeon,  Michigan,  where  he  had 
charge  of  a  church.  Born  of  Protestant  Irish  parents,  he 
inherited  their  staunch  Presbyterian  views  from  which  he 
never  departed,  and  few  men  have  ever  seemd  to  human 
vision,  to  be  worth  so  much  to  the  church  and  the  world. 
That  his  earthly  usefulness  was  cut  short  could  only  be  be- 
cause some  service  more  grand  and  fruitful  than  any  on 
earth  awaited  him  in  the  heavenly  life.  The  resignation  of 
Dr.  Gilleland  was  received  by  the  church  with  the  most 
profound  regret.  He  removed  to  Lake  View,  Chicago,  in 
October,  1890,  and  had  entered  upon  his  work  with  the  pro- 
mise of  a  bright  future  opening  before  him,  when  he  was 
stricken  down  with  disease  and  died  on  March  17th,  1891. 
It  was  a  noble  testimony  to  his  character,  as  true  as  it  was 
exalted,  which  Dr.  Marquis  bore  at  his  funeral,  when  he 
said:  "I  think  he  was  as  little  influenced  by  considerations 
of  personal  ambition  or  emolument  as  any  man  I  ever  knew. 
He  never  asked  concerning  a  project  or  act,  'what  will  it  do 
for  or  bring  me?'  but  'what  will  it  do  for  Christ  and  for 
men?'  He  was  single-eyed  in  that,  the  controlling  purpose 
of  his  life  was  to  please  Him  whose  servant  he  was.  It  is 
not  to  be  wondered  at  that  such  a  man  should  be  rich  in 
friends,  the  possession  of  that  best  earthly  heritage,  the  de- 
voted friendship,  the  strong  confidence  and  the  lasting  af- 

87 


XXi'f/.:^ 


\v/i  ,• 


'  ■■■''x./. 


Rev.  Lelaiid  M.  Gilleland. 


88 


fection  of  the  right  minded  and  sincere.  The  loss  to  the 
church  and  the  world  is  to  be  deplored  when  such  men  are 
summoned  away  from  a  life  of  usefulness  to  a  higher  and 
better  sphere." 

A  few  weeks  after  the  death  of  Dr.  Gilleland  his  wife, 
who  had  faithfully  nursed  him  through  his  long  and  severe 
illness,  was  taken  with  the  same  disease  (typhoid  fever)  of 
which  he  died,  and  in  a  few  short  weeks  was  laid  to  rest  be- 
side him,  leaving  a  young  family  to  be  cared  for  by  friends 
and  relatives.  The  members  of  Walnut  Street  Church  and 
the  church  of  which  Dr.  Gilleland  was  pastor  made  up  a 
handsome  sum  for  the  education  of  his  children,  which  was 
a  praiseworthy  act. 

Mrs,  Gilleland  was  a  valuable  aid  to  her  husband  in 
his  work,  a  pleasant  companion  and  a  loving  mother,  de- 
voting herself  to  the  comfort  and  happiness  of  her  family, 
and  the  blow  whicl«  severed  her  from  her  children  and 
friends  was  severely  felt.  After  her  husband's  death  she 
was  inconsolable,  and  she  was  ready  to  express  herself  in 
the  words  of  Father  Ryan: 

"My  feet  are  weary  and  my  hands  are  tired, 

My  soul's  oppressed. 
And  with  desire,  I  now  desire 

Rest  only  rest ; 
And  I  am  restless,  still 

Far  down  the  west 
Life's  sun  is  setting,  and  I  see  the  shore 

Where  I  shall  rest." 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE  ELDERS  AND  EARLIEST  MEMBERS  OF  THE 
CHURCH. 


The  present  elders  are  Messrs.  Edward  T.  Sullivan, 
James  L.  Orr,  Robert  Smith,  J.  N.  McCoy,  Byron  Parsons, 
Samuel  Q.  Rickwood,  Herman  Pfafflin  and  Melvin  H.  Lock- 
year. 


DR.  SAWYER  AND  DR.  TYRRELL. 

Among  those  who  have  resigned  or  ceased  to  act  in 
the  capacity  of  Elder  we  find  the  names  of  Dr.  Sawyer  and 
Dr.  C.  C.  Tyrrell,  both  of  whom  are  still  in  Evanscille  and 
are  among  the  oldest  citizens.  They  have  both  seen  all  the 
changes  that  have  taken  place  in  Evansville  in  the  last  three 
or  four  decades,  and  are  sincere  Christian  people  interest- 
ed in  the  welfare  and  prosperity  of  the  church. 

MR.  HIRAM  K.  WELLS, 

Who  was  also  an  Elder,  has  removed  with  his  wife  to  El- 
mira,  N.  Y.,  where  they  reside  with  their  daughter.  Few 
persons  ever  lived  in  Evansville  who  enjoyed  more  of  the 
confidence  and  respect  of  every  one  than  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wells.  They  have  passed  many  mile-stones  on  their  life's 
journey  and  are  cheerful  and  happy  in  their  old  age. 


MR.  CHARLES  S.  WELLS, 

A  brother  of  Mr.  Hiram  K.  Wells,  came  to  this  place 
many  years  since  with  his  family,  only  one  member  of 
which,  Mrs.  Helen  Keller,  is  here  at  this  time.  Mr.  Wells 
was  an  Elder  and  superintendent  of  the  Sabbath  School  and 
an  excellent  man.  He  died  early  in  life  and  his  loss  was 
severely  felt  in  the  church,  as  he  was  one  who  had  a  power- 
ful influence  for  good  in  any  place  or  position. 


DANIEL  G.  MARK 

Was  a  native  of  Gettysbuprg,  Pa.  He 
came  to  Evansville  in  1850,  where  he 
lived  over  thirty  years.  After  coming 
to  the  place,  Mr.  Mark  united  with  Wal- 
nut Street  Church  and  was  chosen  El- 
der in  1869.  He  was  one  of  the  most 
eff'icient  Elders,  and  spared  no  pains  or 
efforts  in  his  power  to  further  the  in- 
terests of  the  church,  giving  generous- 
ly of  his  time  and  means  to  the  work. 
He  was  an  excellent  neighbor  and 
friend,  and  with  a  liberal  hand  extend- 
ed help  to  the  poor  and  needy.  His  estimable  wife  survives 
him,  but  has  never  recovered  from  the  sorrow  of  her  be- 
reavement. Mr.  Mark  served  as  an  Elder  with  Mr.  Shank- 
lin,  Mr.  Orr  and  Mr.  Luke  Wood,  all  of  whom,  with  Mr. 
Chas.  Wells,  have  passed  away  since  1860. 

90 


M.  MYRON  W.  SAFFORD 

Came  to  Evansville  to  establish  a  school  which  was  taught 
in  the  school  house  seen  in  the  picture  beside  the  little 
Church  on  the  Hill.  His  wife  and  her  sisters,  the  Misses 
Morton,  who  assisted  in  the  school,  were  sisters  of  the 
present  Vice  President,  Hon.  Levi  P.  Morton.  They  were 
all  New  England  people  with  the  staunch  principles  of  that 
old  land.  Mr.  Safford  was  also  an  elder.  He  died  some  years 
ago. 


GOV.   CONRAD  BAKER. 

Reference  has  already  been  made  in  these  pages  to 
Gov.  Baker  and  his  lovely  wife,  whose  presence  always 
brought  life  and  pleasure  into  every  circle  where  she  was 
welcomed.  Her  bright  and  happy  face  is  still  remembered 
by  her  old  friends.  She  was  a  sister  of  Thomas  E.  Garvin 
and  Mrs.  Louisa  Casselberry.  Gov.  Baker  came  to  Evansville 
in  early  times,  and  did  not  wait  for  church  members  to  call 
upon  him  before  he  chose  his  place  of  worship.  He  knew 
where  he  belonged,  and  worshiped  as  his  fathers  had  done 
in  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  was  a  lawyer  of  a  high  and 
honorable  character,  and  this  was  what  won  for  him  the 
position  of  Governor  of  the  State  of  Indiana.  During  his 
stay  here  his  beloved  wife  was  called  from  earth,  and  after 
some  years  he  married  Miss  Charlotte  Chute,  a  daughter 
of  Father  Chute  and  an  estimable  woman. 

The  first  house  Gov.  Baker  occupied  after  coming  to 
Evansville  was  a  little  cottage  still  standing  on  Second 
street,  not  far  from  Walnut  Street  Church.  It  was  once  a 
charming  little  home,  made  so  by  tasteful  hands.  After- 
wards Gov.  Baker  built  the  house  now  occupied  by  Mr.  D. 
B.  Kumler,  on  First  street.  After  he  was  elected  Governor 
he  moved  to  Indianapolis,  where  his  family  remained  after 
his  death. 


HON.  WM.  BAKER, 

Who  was  a  brother  of  Gov.  Baker,  came  to  this  place  a  few 
years  later  than  his  brother  and  was  highly  esteemed.  He 
was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  which  was  honored  by  her 
sons.  He  was  educated  to  thorough  business  habits,  which 
told  in  his  success  in  life.  Mr.  Baker  was  mayor  of  the  city 
for  several  years,  and  to  him  the  city  is  indebted  for 
some  of  its  most  valuable  improvements  and  the  honest  ad- 


ministration  of  the  law  during  the  period  in  which  he  held 
office.  He  and  his  wife  were  exemplary  members  of  the 
church  and  were  interested  in  all  its  affairs  and  Mr.  Baker 
rendered  it  important  and  valuable  service  as  Treasurer  for 
15  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baker  are  neither  of  them  now  liv- 
ing. 


MR.  AND  MRS.  LAWRENCE, 

Whose  names  and  faces  were  familiar  to  us  many  years 
ago.  Mrs.  Lawrence  was  a  sister  of  Mrs.  Dr.  Sawyer,  and 
is  remembered  as  a  person  who  had  many  friends.  She  was 
a  genial,  kind  hearted  woman  and  an  efficient  member  of 
the  church,  always  ready  to  do  more  than  her  share  of  the 
hard  work  so  necessary  to  be  done  in  the  church  in  early 
times.  When  the  new  church  was  erected  Mr.  Lawrence 
presented  it  with  a  handsome  marble  pulpit.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lawrence  are  still  living,  their  home  is  Chicago. 


MR.  AND  MRS.  HORACE  E.  PLUMBER 

Were  members  of  the  little  Church  on  the  Hill.  They  were 
New  England  people.  Mrs.  Plumber  is  still  living  and  has 
been  a  widow  many  years.  She  has  seen  severe  affliction, 
but  welcomes  old  age  with  cheerful  resignation.  Mrs. 
Plumber  now  attends  the  First  Avenue  Church,  where  with- 
out doubt  she  is  an  energetic  worker  in  its  interest,  as  she 
was  in  the  old  church. 


MRS.  J.  E.  MASON, 

Though  not  one  of  the  oldest  members  of  the  church,  she 
was  one  of  those  quiet  Christian  women  whose  life  was  a 
lesson  from  which  all  could  learn  truth  and  purity  of  pur- 
pose. She  lived  what  she  believed,  by  her  death  her  friends 
and  the  church  sustained  a  great  loss.  She  was  for  years, 
together  with  her  husband,  a  member  of  the  choir.  She 
now  sings  the  songs  of  the  redeemed. 

There  are  others  whose  faces  would  be  missed  from 
their  accustomed  places  as  much  as  the  pulpit  or  the  organ, 
and  it  is  hoped  that  their  seats  may  not  be  vacant  for  many 
years  to  come.  Among  these  are  still  some  who  used  to 
worship  in  the  old  church  and  sing  in  its  choir. 

92 


MR.  AND  MRS.  SAMUEL  E.  GILBERT, 
Both  of  whom  have  given  many  years  of  faithful  service 
to  the  choir,  and  can  be  relied  upon  for  the  fulfillment  of 
all  the  duties  required  of  them  as  church  members.  Mr. 
Gilbert  came  to  Evansville  in  1850  and  has  been  a  success- 
ful merchant,  but  is  now  retired  from  business.  His  estim- 
able wife  is  a  native  of  this  place  and  is  a  sister  of  David 
J.  Mackey. 


MRS.  THOMAS  E.  GARVIN 

Is  also  remembered  as  belonging  to  the  choir  in  years  that 
are  past  and  is  known  at  this  time  as  a  valuable  member  of 
Walnut  Street  Church,  ready  to  assist  in  any  good  work, 
kind  and  warm  hearted  to  her  friends  of  whom  she  has 
many.  Beside  her  in  the  choir  of  long  ago  stood  a  beloved 
relative  of  hers.  The  name  of  Nellie  Warner,  (afterwards 
Mrs.  Culbertson),  brings  before  us  a  queenly  and  elegant 
woman.  After  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Culbertson  of  New 
Albany,  she  resided  in  that  place  where  she  was  highly  es- 
teemed. 

Death,  who  "loves  a  shining  mark,"  removed  her  a  few 
years  since  from  a  lovely  home  where,  with  wealth  and  a 
benevolent  heart  she  was  accomplishing  a  great  amount  of 
good.  She  possessed  a  remarkable  degree  of  taste  and  cul- 
ture and  seemed  especially  designed  as  a  leader  in  society, 
and  in  the  church.  Her  efforts  in  sustaining  an  orphans' 
home  were  deserving  of  great  praise.  She  contributed  free- 
ly of  her  means,  her  time  and  talents  to  its  support.  Her 
removal  from  a  life  of  usefulness  was  very  much  deplored 
in  her  home  and  by  those  intimately  associated  with  her  in 
works  of  benevolence  and  chority. 


Of  the  early  members  who  are  still  active  in  church 
work  are  Mrs.  James  H.  Cutler,  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Tyrrell,  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Sawyer,  MrsMary  Babcock,  Mrs.  Nancy  M.  Mc- 
Clain  and  Mrs.  James  Davidson.  All  of  the  above  persons 
have  contributed  in  every  way  to  the  good  and  prosperity 
of  the  church,  and  are  consistent  Christian  people. 

There  is  also  an  army  of  resolute  and  cheerful  servants 
in  the  cause  of  their  Master,  those  best  known  to  the  writer 
are  Mrs.  Samuel  Bayard,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dalzell,  Mrs,  Isaac 
Keen,  Mr.  James  L.  Orr,  Mrs.  Gilchrist,  Mrs.  James  M. 
Shanklin,  Mrs.  Read,  Mr.  Robert  Smith,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Edward  Sullivan,  Mrs.  Mathilda  Goodge,  Mr.  W.  H.  Lehn- 

93 


hard,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCoy,  Miss  Anna  Farrell,  Mrs.  North 
Storms,  Mrs.  W.  S.  French,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Phil.  C.  Decker, 
and  many  of  the  later  members  are  also  worthy  of  men- 
tion herein,  besides  the  young  people  who  are  zealous  in 
good  works  and  with  young  and  willing  heart  and  hands 
great  good  will  be  accomplished. 

The  history  of  the  above  people  should  be  found  in  the 
next  volume. 


Besides  those  before  mentioned  the  church  has  lost  by 
death  many  valuable  members.  On  this  list  we  find  the 
names  of  Dr.  Wilcox  and  wife,  Mrs.  James  E.  Blythe,  Dr. 
Morgan  and  wife,  Mrs.  James  L.  Orr,  Mr.  Sellman,  wife 
and  son,  (these  were  the  entire  family,-  Mr.  Swanson  and 
wife,  Mrs.  Dutcher,  Mrs.  Lydia  Bell  and  Mr.  Luke  Wood, 
who  was  an  elder,  as  was  also  his  grandfather  of  the  same 
name  who  died  many  years  since.  Mr.  James  R.  Goodlett 
was  also  an  elder  in  early  times.  He  was  the  father  of  our 
present  mayor,  Hon.  N.  M.  Goodlett,  and  a  man  of  sterling 
worth  and  integrity. 

More  than  thirty  families  have  removed  from  Evans- 
ville  to  different  parts  of  the  country  in  the  last  five  years, 
who  were  connected  with  the  church.  Among  those  who 
went  to  California  was  Mrs.  George  Start,  who  was  an  ac- 
tive and  useful  member  of  the  church.  Mrs.  C.  K.  Drew 
removed  to  New  Orleans,  and  both  of  these  person?  have 
passed  away  from  the  scenes  of  time. 

Death  seems  to  have  been  busy  in  the  early  days  of 
the  new  year.  The  chimes  of  '92  had  scarcely  ceased  when 
his  cold  hand  was  laid  upon  a  good  man,  once  an  elder  of 
Walnut  Street  Church. 

Dr.  L.  G.  Johnson  was  for  several  years  a  resident  of 
Evansville.  He  was  a  homeopathic  physician  and  was  highly 
respected  in  this  community.  His  home  was  in  St.  Louis 
and  in  a  few  days  after  his  death  his  wife  was  called  to  fol- 
low him  to  the  "better  land."  Their  remains  were  brought 
to  this  place  for  interment. 


94 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


THE  CHILDREN. 

"In  memory's  mellowing  glass  how  sweet 

Our  infant  days,  and  childish  joys  to  greet, 

To  roam  in  fancy  in  each  cherished  scene." 

Among  those  who  have  a  waiTn  place  in  the  heart  of 
the  writer  are  the  dear  children  and  to  them  hearty  con- 
gratulations are  extended  that  they  live  in  this  age  of  pro- 
gress when  so  many  new  inventions  and  improvements 
make  the  world  to  them  almost  paradise  compared  with 
what  it  was  years  ago  when  life  seemed  barren  of  enjoy- 
ment for  children.  Even  the  picture  books  of  the  present 
time  are  an  education  to  a  child. 

In  a  well  remembered  home  of  seventy  years  ago  where 
there  was  the  best  collection  of  books  in  the  neighborhood, 
except  the  library  of  the  minister,  there  were  but  two  books 
which  contained  pictures  and  these  were  the  "Babes  in  the 
Woods"  and  "Bunyan's  Pilgrim's  Progress."  The  first  was 
a  good  book  to  call  out  the  sympathies  of  a  child  for  the 
poor  little  babes  in  the  lonely  woods,  but  what  a  sad  lesson 
in  human  nature  was  learned  from  the  character  of  the  un- 
cle. It  is  a  wonder  that  the  child  who  read  this  book  was  not 
afraid  of  its  uncles  afterwards.  Then  Bunyan's  old  man  he 
called  Christian,  who  would  not  lay  down  his  burden,  was 
a  perfect  mystery  to  the  childish  mind,  it  could  not  compre- 
hend why  he  was  so  persistent  in  carrying  that  bundle. 
These  books  were  chosen  as  the  most  interesting  to  a  child 
from  among  such  as  Baxter's  Saints'  Call  to  the  Unconvert- 
ed, Jonathan  Edwards'  writings,  and  others  of  a  kindred 
name  and  character.  The  Sunday-school  books  were  the 
first  that  were  written  for  children  and  some  of  them  were 
written  for  children  and  some  of  them  were  far  beyond 
their  comprehension.  The  children  of  this  age  of  the  world 
are    the    most    important    persons    in    the    community,  in- 

95 


asmuch  as  there  is  more  thought  given  to  their  care, 
education  and  training  as  well  as  to  their  happiness  and 
welfare  than  is  given  to  any  other  class  of  society,  and  also 
because  they  are  to  fill  the  places  now  occupied  by  others 
and  their  influence  for  good  or  evil  is  to  affect  the  world 
when  the  sceptre  has  fallen  from  the  hands  of  those  who 
now  rule. 

The  responsibility  resting  upon  the  children  of  these 
days  is  very  great,  the  facilities'  for  obtaining  knowledge 
are  so  much  better  than  they  ever  were  before,  that  every 
child  is  in  a  measure  responsible  for  his  improvement  of 
these  opportunities.  The  children  have  the  benefit  of  the 
knowledge  attained  by  the  greatest  minds,  in  science,  art 
and  literature ;  the  lightning  is  harnessed  and  driven  at  the 
will  of  man;  thunder,  which  was  once  known  only  as  the 
voice  of  God,  is  now  heard  without  terror.  The  earth  gives 
up  its  treasures,  buried  cities,  with  all  the  pomp  and  wealth 
of  other  ages,  are  excavated,  and  the  temples  and  palaces 
of  nations  that  have  passed  away,  are  brought  to  light. 
The  revelations  of  science  in  the  past  few  years  have  al- 
most made  a  new  world  of  this  mundane  and  most  divine 
painting,  which  lend  a  refining  influence  that  cannot  be  de- 
rived as  well  from  any  other  source.  Literature  provides 
for  every  desire  of  the  mind  in  pursuit  of  knowledge  or 
pleasure ;  while  there  is  much  literature  that  it  is  a  great 
waste  of  time  to  read,  there  is  a  wealth  of  thought  in  the 
best  authors  that  will  enrich  and  elevate  the  mind  of  the 
studious.  Every  child  should  cultivate  a  taste  for  music  and 
reading,  and  the  young  should  especially  choose  those  au- 
thors who  give  them  ideas  that  they  may  carry  with  them 
through  life,  and  that  will  have  a  good  influence  upon  them 
here  and  hereafter. 

The  idea  at  this  day,  seems  very  old-fashioned  that 
young  people  should  not  attend  theatres  and  dances,  and 
play  cards.  It  is  either  right  or  wrong  to  encourage  the 
pursuit  of  such  pleasures.  Many  thoughtful  and  experi- 
enced persons  have  decided  that  it  is  wrong,  .and  are  ready 
to  ask:  "Is  it  right  to  waste  the  time  that  could  be  better 
employed,  in  preparing  for,  and  attending  dances  and  the- 
atres? Is  it  right  to  encourage  the  expenditure  of  money 
in  this  way,  by  young  persons  who  need  to  save  their  earn- 
ings to  begin  a  successful  life?  Should  respectable  and  re- 
ligious parents  countenance  theatrical  people  with  whom 
they  could  not  think  of  allowing  their  children  even  an  ac- 
quaintance?   Is  there  any  good  derived  from  card  playing? 

96 


If  so,  does  the  good  counteract  the  harm  which  has  so  often 
followed  it — the  dishonesty  and  ruin  of  thousands?" 

The  time  has  been  when  religious  persons  disapproved 
of  these  amusements,  and  churches  (Walnut  Street  Church 
included),  called  their  members  to  account  to  the  session 
for  drinking  intoxicating  liquors,  playing  cards  and  attend- 
ing theatres.  The  question  might  be  asked,  are  these  things 
any  nearer  right  now  than  they  were  then? 

Diversions  for  children  should  be  simple  and  well  se- 
lected ;  those  should  be  chosen  about  which  there  is  no 
doubt  of  their  being  conducive  to  health  of  the  body  and 
mind ;  late  hours  and  excitement  should  always  be  avoided. 

While  the  minds  of  the  children  are  developing,  the 
parents,  perhaps,  realizing  from  their  own  experience  that 
life  may  not  be  to  them  always  a  garden  of  flowers,  en- 
deavor to  afford  them  all  the  pleasure  in  their  power  to  con- 
tribute, and  with  great  painstaking  and  trouble  they  fur- 
nish entertainments  of  various  kinds,  none  of  which  are 
enjoyed  to  their  fullest  extent  more  than  those  of  the 
Christmas  holidays.  Fifty  years  ago  Christmas  was 
scarcely  talked  of  and  never  celebrated  in  Evansville.  The 
old  English  people  were  sometimes  known  to  tell  of  what 
they  used  to  do  in  England  at  Christmas.  There  were  a 
few  Episcopalians  or  Catholics  here  then  who  would  have 
been  most  likely  to  have  noticed  that  day;  the  other  de- 
nominations were  not  quite  sure  about  the  date  of  the  event 
which  Christmas  commemorates  and  it  passed  quietly 
away.  Now  all  seem  to  agree  upon  the  same  tim.e,  and  the 
churches  from  the  old  Puritan  stock  are  ready  to  mark  the 
day  with  festivities,  and  even  the  Jev/ish  people  give  pre- 
sents to  their  friends  and  children  on  Christmas. 

The  following  newspaper  account  of  a  meriy  Christ- 
mas entertainment  for  the  children,  finds  a  place  here  with 
the  hope  that  in  some  unaccountable  manner  this  volume 
may  survive  the  wreck  of  years,  and  perhaps  be  found 
among  the  other  rubbish  of  some  garret  in  the  latter  part 
of  the  twentieth  century  (when  the  manner  of  spending 
Christmas  may  have  changed  as  much  as  it  has  in  this 
century),  and  may  aft'ord  some  of  the  remote  posterity  of 
the  actors  in  the  celebration  of  1891  an  opportunity  of  see- 
ing how  their  ancestors  spent  Christmas: 


97 


SANTA  AT  CHURCH 

THE  CROWNING  EVENT  OF  CHRISTMAS-TIDE 
—CHILDREN  MADE  HAPPY. 


A  Delightful  Evening  Spent  at  Walnut  Street  Presbyterian 
Church 


"Last  evening  the  parlors  of  Walnut  Street  Presbyteri- 
an Church  were  well  filled  with  the  boys  and  girls  of  the 
Sunday  School  and  their  friends  who  came  to  enjoy  to- 
gether the  Christmas  entertainment. 

The  room  was  beautifully  decorated  with  palms,  holly, 
Alabama  smilax  and  mistletoe,  and  bright  lamps  added  to 
the  pleasing  effect.  A  stage  had  been  erected  in  the  corner 
of  the  room,  on  which  was  a  fire-place  with  a  tall  brick 
chimney.  The  bright-faced  happy  children  in  their  pert- 
tiest  clothes  made  by  far  the  sweetest  and  most  attractive 
picture. 

After  the  opening  chorus  and  an  appropriate  talk  from 
Mr.  James  L.  Orr,  the  infant  class  marched  in  and  took 
their  places  on  the  platform,  where  they  knelt  and  repeated 
a  sweet  little  prayer.  Miss  Bessie  Valentine  made  the  open- 
ing adress  very  cutely. 

In  'Christmas  Music,'  Milton  Pullis,  Walter  Schnaken- 
burg,  John  Storms,  Jessie  Connor,  Edward  Hankins,  Allen 
Hawkins  and  Hallie  Crawford  represented  musical  instru- 
ments. 

Misses  Mabel  Lahr,  Madeline  Norton,  Lillie  Hodson, 
Mamie  Goodge,  Louise  Robinson,  Eloise  Decker,  Mabel  Mel- 
vin  and  Mildred  Cutler  represented  a  flower  in  the  "Christ- 
mas wreath.' 

The  tableaux  were  a  very  pleasing  part  of  the  even- 
ing's entertainment.  In  'Christmas  Rich  and  Poor,'  Helen 
Paine,  Helen  Venneman  and  Carl  Schnakenburg  made  a 
very  pretty  picture,  and  Miss  Emily  Sullivan  will  not  soon 
be  forgotten  as  she  stood  leaning  upon  the  cross  in  'Rock 
of  Ages.' 

A  quartet  was  admirably  rendered  by  Messrs.  Walter 
Decker,  Harry  Little  and  John  Strain.  Little  Misses  Edith 
Wing  and  Ruth  Lehnhard  sang  'Christmas  Thoughts'  very 
sweetly,  and  Messrs.  M.  Z.  Tinker  and  Oliver  C.  Decker  de- 
lighted the  audience  by  their  rendition  of  'Star  of  Bethle- 
hem.' 


At  the  close,  Santa  Claus  with  Frances  Overman,  Lo- 
raine  Cutler  and  Tunis  Ross  made  two  beautiful  tableaux, 
'Christmas,  Night  and  Morning,'  and  as  an  ending  Santa 
Claus  came  through  the  window  with  the  remark  that 
Christmas  was  over  and  he  had  no  presents  left,  but  a  hap- 
py thought  struck  him,  that  he  might  distribute  the  bricks 
from  the  chimney  as  he  would  have  no  further  use  for 
it  this  year.  Accordingly  it  was  torn  down  and  to  their  de- 
light and  surprise  each  one  found  himself  possessed  of  a 
brick  in  the  form  of  a  box  of  candy. 

One  of  the  things  about  the  whole  was  the  donation 
given  by  the  boys  and  girls  as  a  Christmas  offering  to  Park 
Chapel. 

Both  old  and  young  were  so  pleased  with  the  success 
that  they  decided  to  re-appoint  the  same  committee,  Mrs. 
Sue  M.  Barton,  Mr.  Will  C.  Paine  and  Mr.  James  L.  Orr  to 
attend  to  all  their  future  affairs  of  this  kind." 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


In  giving  an  account  of  the  lives  of  all  the  good  men 
and  women  who  are  mentioned  in  these  pages,  full  justice, 
perhaps,  in  some  instances,  may  not  have  been  done ;  at  the 
siame  time  there  has  been  no  desire  on  the  part  of  the  com- 
piler of  this  book  to  over-rate  anyone  whose  name  appears 
in  it.  The  fact  that  in  the  long  period  of  seventy  years, 
among  those  pastors  mentioned,  there  has  been  no  one  who 
has  not  honored  his  calling,  is  a  subject  of  congratulation. 
It  will  be  seen  that  the  subjects  of  some  of  these  sketches 
have  shown  great  energy  and  practiced  great  self-denial  in 
order  to  fit  themselves  for  the  life  they  choose,  and  that  the 
desire  to  do  good  was  the  ruling  motive  of  their  labors. 
There  is  a  sublimity  in  the  thought  of  men  devoting  their 
lives  to  the  good  of  others.  The  world  holds  out  many  in- 
ducements to  follow  its  varied  pursuits  of  pleasure,  fame 
and  wealth,  which  may  all  array  themselves  before  young 
men,  but  those  who  choose  the  ministry  for  their  calling 
seldom  look  forward  to  any  of  these.  The  reward  of  the 
just  and  merciful  will  be  theirs. 

It  has  been  impossible  to  obtain  sketches  of  all  the  El- 
ders deceased,  as  well  as  photographs  of  some  of  the  clergy- 
men. 

Several  of  the  pastors  have  furnished  their  histories, 
which  has  been  a  great  assistance  in  collecting  facts  in  re- 


gard  to  their  lives,  and  for  this  they  will  please  accept  many 
thanks.  Some  of  the  pastors  were  not  married,  others  had 
wives  who  had  the  care  of  families  of  small  children,  or 
who  were  invalids,  which  prevented  their  being-  efficient 
workers  outside  of  their  own  homes,  and  though  sketches 
of  them  might  be  interesting  as  those  written,  it  has  not 
been  possible  to  obtain  them. 

To  the  kindness  and  skill  of  Mr,  Charles  V,  Worthing- 
ton  and  Mr,  W,  S,  Douglas,  is  due  the  credit  of  the  portraits 
and  illustrations. 

If  there  is  anything  in  these  pages  that  can  give  of- 
fense to  anyone,  it  is  unintentional,  and  there  is  no  one  to 
blame  but  the  writer,  who  has  only  good  will  to  all. 


The  church  records  contain  over  four  hundred  names 
of  members  of  the  church ;  also  the  names  of  one  hundred 
and  thirty  baptized  persons.  They  show  that  one  hundred 
and  thirty-two  persons  have  been  married  by  the  ministers 
of  the  church  within  the  last  five  years. 

There  is  one  feature  that  is  worthy  of  note  in  the  rules 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  which  is  that  a  person  once  a 
member  is  always  a  member,  until  dismissed  by  letter,  and 
wherever  he  goes  or  whatever  befalls  him,  the  church  never 
loses  its  interest  in  his  welfare  and  happiness ;  its  sym- 
pathies go  out  to  him  in  affliction,  and  it  rejoices  with  him 
if  he  rejoice.  There  are  the  names  of  some  on  the  church 
books  as  members,  who  were  reared  in  the  atmosphere  of 
church  influences,  who,  for  reasons  of  their  own,  are  no 
longer  devoted  to  the  church  as  formerly.  This  must  be  a 
source  of  deep  regret  to  those  who  valued  their  society  and 
influence,  and  if  the  time  ever  comes  when  their  interest  in 
the  church  and  its  welfare  revives,  they  will  be  joj^fully 
welcomed  back  to  its  services  and  its  friendship.  When  one 
gives  up  the  God  and  faith  of  his  fathers,  he  is  like  a  ship 
at  sea  without  a  rudder  or  compass,  he  is  blown  about  by 
everj^  "wind  of  doctrine."  When  he  loses  sight  of  the  light- 
house of  Faith.  Hope  also  disappears. 


In  calling  to  mind  the  scenes  and  persons  of  the  past 
and  particularly  those  who  have  been  gone  from  us  so  long, 
the  writer,  although  not  a  spiritualist,  has  seemed  to  shake 
hands  with  these  old  friends,  and  recollections  come  up  of 
the  pleasant  social  intercourse  enjoyed  with  them.    Do  they 

100 


know  that  they  are  remembered  ,and  do  they  think  of  their 
old  friends? 

There  are  few  of  the  older  church  members  living,  and 
as  the  ''whispering-  leaves"  of  life's  autumn  fall  around 
them,  and  one  after  another  of  those  who  have  walked  to- 
gether in  life's  pleasant  pathway,  disappear  among  the 
shadows,  may  those  who  take  their  places  find  only  "ways 
of  pleasantness  and  paths  of  peace," 

"When  on  my  day  of  life  the  night  is  falling 
And,  in  the  winds  from  unsunned  places  blown, 

I  hear  far  voices  out  of  darkness  calling 
My  feet  to  paths  unknown. 

Thou  who  hast  made  my  home  of  life  so  pleasant, 
Leave  not  its  tenant  when  its  walls  decay. 

0  Love  divine,  0  Helper  ever  present. 
Be  thou  my  strength  and  stay. 

Be  near  me  when  all  else  is  from  me  drifting. 

Earth,  sky,  home's  pictures,  days  of  shade  and  shine, 

And  kindly  faces  to  my  own  uplifting 
The  love  which  answers  mine. 

1  have  but  Thee,  0  Father!     Let  Thy  spirit 
Be  with  me  then  to  comfort  and  uphold ; 

No  gate  of  pearl,  no  branch  of  palm,  I  merit, 
Nor  street  of  shining  gold. 

Suffice  it  if — my  good  and  ill  unreckoned. 

And  both  forgiven  thro'  Thy  abounding  grace — 

I  find  myself  by  hands  familiar  beckoned 
Unto  my  fitting  place. 

Some  humble  door  among  Thy  many  mansions. 

Some  sheltering  shade,  where  sin  and  striving  cease, 

And  flows  forever  through  Heaven's  green  expansions 
The  river  of  Thy  peace. 

There,  from  the  music  round  about  me  stealing, 
I  fain  would  learn  the  new  and  holy  song. 

And  find,  at  last,  beneath  Thy  trees  of  healing. 
The  life  for  which  I  long." 

Mary  French  Reilly. 


101 


History  of  the 
Walnut  Street  Presbyterian  Church 


PART  II. 


DEDICATION 

To  the  children  and  young  people  of  the  church  of  today 

this  volume  is  dedicated, 

with  the  hope,  that, 

inspired  by  its  story  of  faith  and  good  works 

they  may  be  able  to  do  greater  things  than  these 

in  the  years  to  come. 


102 


THE  PILGRIM  CHURCH. 


(Hymn  quoted  by  Rev.  W.  H.  McCarer  in  his  last  sermon  in 
the  old  Church,  Sunday,  February  26th,  1860.) 


"Far  down  the  ages  now. 
Much  of  her  journey  done. 

The  Pilgrim  Church  pursues  her  way 
Until  her  crown  be  won. 

The  story  of  the  Past 

Comes  up  before  her  view. 

How  well  it  seems  to  suit  her  still, 
Old  and  yet  ever  new. 

It  is  the  oft-told  tale 

Of  sin  and  weariness, 
Of  grace  and  love  yet  flowing  down, 

To  pardon  and  to  bless. 

No  wider  is  the  gate. 

No  broader  is  the  way. 
No  smoother  is  the  ancient  path 

That  leads  to  Life  and  day. 

No  sweeter  is  the  cup. 

Nor  less  our  lot  of  ill, 
'Twas  tribulation  ages  since, 

'Tis  tribulation  still. 

No  slacker  grows  the  fight, 

No  feebler  is  the  foe. 
Nor  less  the  need  of  armor  tried 

Of  shield  and  spear  and  bow. 

Thus  onward  yet  we  press 
Thro'  evil  and  through  good. 

Thro'  pain  and  poverty  and  want. 
Thro'  perils  and  through  blood. 

Still  faithful  to  our  God, 

And  to  our  Captain  true. 
We  follow  where  He  leads  the  way. 

The  Kingdom  in  our  view." 

104 


CONTENTS— PART  II. 


1.  Introduction. 

2.  In  Memoriam — Mary  F.  Reilly. 

3.  The  Evolution  of  a  Soul. 

4.  Men's  Organizations — 
Session,  Trustees,  Brotherhood. 

5.  Women's  Organizations — 
Missionary  Society,  Ladies'  Aid. 

6.  Young  People's  Organizations — 

Sabbath  School,  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.,  Girls'  Circles  and  Boys' 
Clubs. 

7.  The  Choir. 

8.  Rev.  Otis  A.  Smith,  D.  D.— 1891. 

9.  Rev.  Samuel  N.  Wilson,  D.  D.— 1896. 

10.  Rev.  Charles  Nickerson,  D.  D.— 1901. 

11.  Rev.  John  Kennedy,  D.  D.— 1907. 

12.  Rev.  Leslie  Whitcomb— 1919. 

13.  Some  Prominent  Members. 

14.  War  Record. 

15.  Centennial  Celebration. 

16.  The   Future. 


105 


CHAPTER  I. 


INTRODUCTION. 

By  George  S.  Clifford. 


PIONEER  DAYS. 

Accustomed  to  the  comforts  and  luxuries  of  the  twen- 
tieth century,  we,  who  are  in  1921  celebrating  the  establish- 
ment of  the  first  Presbyterian  church  in  Evansville  one 
hundred  years  ago,  may  better  appreciate  the  event  by  re- 
calling the  conditions  of  that  time  and  the  difficulties  the 
founders  had  to  overcome. 

For  many  years  after  Kentucky  had  been  admitted  into 
the  Union  of  States  the  Ohio  river  protected  the  savage 
red  men  from  farther  encroachment  by  their  white  foes. 
Gradually,  however,  the  more  venturesome  pioneers  pushed 
their  way  across  the  wide  river  and  little  settlements  were 
established  in  the  great  Northwest  territory. 

The  battle  for  the  necessities  of  life  and  against  sick- 
ness and  the  many  foes  of  the  forest  left  the  early  settlers 
little  time  for  the  higher  things  of  life. 

In  1804,  the  government  by  treaty,  acquired  from  the 
Indian  tribes  this  land  in  Southwestern  Indiana  and  opened 
it  for  settlers  at  two  dollars  per  acre — one  quarter  casli; 
but  so  poor  were  the  people  that  many  were  unable  to  make 
the  deferred  payments  so,  following  the  great  business  de- 
pression of  1819,  the  government  in  1821  reduced  the  price 
to  one  dollar  and  a  quarter  per  acre. 

In  1822,  many  western  banks  failed  and  there  was  no 
longer  any  circulating  medium.  Coon  skins  became  the 
basis  for  financial  transactions  of  a  limited  nature. 

The  years  1820-21-22  were  years  of  hard  times  at- 
tended by  a  great  amount  of  sickness  and  many  deaths. 

In  1824,  the  entire  assessed  value  of  the  village  of 
Evansville  was  little  more  than  twenty-seven  thousand  dol- 
lars. 

106 


There  was  little  attention  given  to  maintaining  civil 
government.  For  almost  three  years,  1825-28,  there  is  no 
record  of  any  meeting  of  the  town  trustees  and  Evansville 
practically  ceased  to  exist  as  a  civil  corporation. 

The  year  1832  was  noted  for  the  cold  weather,  the  flood 
and  the  cholera.  There  was  no  thermometer  in  the  village, 
but  the  river  was  frozen  over  to  a  thickness  of  twenty  inches 
and  the  weather  was  described  as  "cold,  cold,  bitter  cold." 
When  the  spring  flood  came  the  water  backed  up  from  Pig- 
eon Creek  through  the  ravine  which  ran  along  where  our 
court  house  now  stands,  until  it  lacked  only  six  inches  of 
meeting  the  waters  which  ran  down  the  ravines  from  the 
southeast  of  the  village. 

In  September  came  the  cholera  which  carried  off 
twenty-five  or  thirty  of  the  population  of  about  two  hundred 
and  twenty-five. 

Such  was  the  little  settlement  in  which  the  first  Pres- 
byterian church  was  organized  in  1821,  for  which  the  first 
church  building  was  erected  in  1832. 

The  church  owes  its  birth  to  the  missionary  zeal  of  the 
Presbyterians  of  Kentucky. 

That  the  church  organization  could  be  preserved  thru 
years  of  such  discouragemients  and  a  house  of  worship  built 
in  a  year  of  such  hard  times  and  suffering,  should  cause  us 
to  rejoice  and  give  thanks  for  the  unyielding  Christian  char- 
acter of  our  sturdy  forefathers. 


PRESBYTERIAL  AFFILIATIONS. 

All  that  part  of  the  Northwestern  Territory  which  now 
forms  the  State  of  Indiana,  was  originally  in  the  Transyl- 
vania Presbytery,  Synod  of  Kentucky,  which  presbytery  in 
the  early  years  of  the  nineteenth  century  sent  missionaries 
into  the  Territory  of  Indiana  to  preach  and  establish  Presby- 
terian churches. 

In  1815  this  territory  was  made  a  part  of  the  Presby- 
tery of  Miami,  Synod  of  Ohio.  In  1817,  all  that  part  of  In- 
diana west  of  a  line  drawn  due  north  from  the  mouth  of 
Kentucky  river  was  attached  to  the  Pre&bytery  of  Louisville. 

In  1823  that  part  of  the  Presbytery  of  Louisville  which 
was  in  Indiana  was  constituted  Salem  Presbytery,  Synod  of 
Kentucky. 

107 


In  1824,  that  part  of  Indiana  lying  south  and  west  of  a 
line  from  the  mouth  of  Green  river  due  north  twenty  miles 
and  thence  northwest  to  ^he  mouth  of  White  River,  was 
attached  to  the  Presbytery  of  Muhlenburg,  where  it  re- 
mained until  1827,  when  it  was  returned  to  Salem  Presby- 
tery, and  then  in  1829  became  a  part  of  Wabash  Presbytery, 
when  the  lines  between  these  two  were  changed. 

The  Synod  of  Indiana  was  organized  in  1826,  the  first 
meeting  being  held  in  the  Court  House  at  Vincennes  in  Oc- 
tober of  that  year. 

In  1830  the  name  of  Wabash  Presbytery  was  changed 
to  Vincennes  Presbytery. 

When  in  1838  the  division  occurred  throughout  the  church 
into  Old  School  and  New  School  branches,  Evansville,  with 
four  other  churches  in  this  neighborhood,  transferred  to 
Salem  Presbytery,  which  with  the  Presbyteries  of  Madison, 
Crawfordsville  and  Logansport,  constituted  the  Synod  of  In- 
diana, N.  S. 

In  1846,  Evansville  Presbytery  was  organized,  but  it 
existed  only  three  years  when  it  was  dissolved  and  the  Ev- 
ansville church  returned  to  Salem  Presbytery. 

Upon  the  reunion  of  the  two  branches  in  1870,  the 
presbyteries  of  Indiana  were  reconstructed  and  the  Evans- 
ville church  became  a  member  of  the  reformed  Vincennes 
Presbytery. 

The  name  Vincennes  Presbytery  was  changed  to  In- 
diana Presbytery  when  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
church  united  with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  U.  S.  A.,  in 
1906. 

This  gives  the  presbyterial  connections  during  the  first 
centuiy. 


108 


CHAPTER  II. 


FOREWORD. 

In  taking  up  the  History  of  the  last  thirty  years  of 
Walnut  Street  Presbyterian  Church,  it  seems  to  me  emin- 
ently fitting,  first,  to  pay  tribute  to  Mrs.  Mary  F.  Reilly,  the 
author  of  the  delightful  memories  of  the  past,  narrated  in 
Part  1. 

An  editorial,  published  at  the  time  of  her  death,  brings 
her  vividly  before  us. 

A  NOBLE  LIFE. 

"Every  community  has  a  few  distinctive  characters  who 
serve  as  links  connecting  the  present  and  the  past.  They 
adapt  themselves  well  enough  to  the  custom  of  today  and 
look  with  a  kindly  tolerance  upon  the  changed  conditions 
since  they  were  young,  but  they  love  the  long  ago  with  its 
myriad  memories,  its  tender  and  heroic  associations,  when 
men  and  women  too,  practiced  kindnesses  toward  each  other 
more  than  they  do  now  and  were  capable  of  self-denial  and 
even  hardship,  if  necessary,  as  tributes  to  friendship.  As 
one  by  one  they  pass  away  the  interest  and  attachment  not 
only  of  contemporaries  but  of  those  who  have  come  later 
upon  the  stage  grow  stronger  for  the  ones  who  are  left,  es- 
pecially when  patriarchal  years  are  but  the  crown  of  a  per- 
sonality rich  in  every  endowment  of  nature  from  whatever 
point  of  view  it  may  be  considered. 

"Mary  French  Reilly,  who  died  yesterday,  has  been  a 
striking  figure  in  the  life  of  Evansville  for  considerably 
more  than  a  half  century.  Only  her  early  girlhood  was  spent 
in  New  England  where  she  was  born  of  Puritan  stock,  be- 
ing a  lineal  descendant  of  William  Bradford,  one  of  the  pil- 
grims of  the  Mayflower.  Among  her  later  ancestry  was 
Bezaleel  Howe,  who  was  an  own  brother  of  her  grand- 
mother, Edith  Howe.  His  name  will  be  found  in  history  and 
in  the  army  record  of  the  country  as  an  officer  of  Washing- 
ton's army.  Others  of  her  immediate  kindred  were  in  all 
of  the  battles  around  Boston  including  the  one  at  Concord 
where  the  first  shot  of  the  revolution  was  fired,  "the  shot," 
as  Emerson  said,  "that  was  heard  around  the  world."  To 
hear  her  recount  incidents  of  the  struggle  for  independence 
which  had  come  down  as  a  part  of  direct  family  tradition 
gave  those  who  listened  a  vivid  realization  of  the  sublime 
battle  for  liberty. 

"It  was  in  1834  that  Mary  French  Reilly  first  came  to 

109 


Evansville  which  was  then  a  mere  hamlet  on  the  river  bank. 
Two  older  sisters  had  preceded  her,  both  of  whom  are  long- 
since  dead.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  she  returned  to  the  East 
and  became  a  pupil  in  one  of  the  best  schools  in  Albany,  New 
York,  living  with  an  elder  brother  who  was  established  in 
business  there.  After  two  years'  study  in  this  school  and 
becoming  proficient  in  music,  she  returned  to  Evansville, 
bringing  with  her  the  first  piano  ever  brought  to  this  part  of 
Indiana.  It  was  a  gift  of  her  brother  and  is  still  an  inter- 
esting relic  of  the  home  she  has  just  left.  During  all  the 
vicissitudes  of  life  in  those  early  days,  Mary  Wilson,  the 
educated  New  England  girl,  afterwards  the  wife  of  William 
Reilly,  was  an  interesting  figure.  There  are  still  living  a 
few,  only  a  very  few,  who  remember  her  in  those  days  and 
can  recall  how  ever  ready  she  was  to  add  to  the  enjoyment 
of  those  of  her  own  age,  to  assist  those  in  distress,  to  sym- 
pathize with  the  bereaved.  Old  and  young,  rich  and  poor, 
the  cultured  and  the  illiterate — yes,  even  black  as  well  as 
white — every  one  with  a  heavy  cross  to  bear,  whether  sick- 
ness or  sorrow  or  disappointment,  always  found  her  ready 
to  give  a  part  of  her  cheery  nature  toward  brightening  up 
the  pathway  before  him,  no  matter  how  dark  it  was.  The 
spirit  of  the  true  Samaritan  was  illustrated  in  her  life.  Her 
kindnesses  were  not  marred  by  the  cold  calculations  of  duty 
but  sprung  from  an  impulse  that  she  could  not  resist.  These 
are  not  partial  words.  They  will  be  repeated  over  and  over 
again  today  by  many  of  this  community  who  have  known 
how  sweet  it  was  to  have  her  for  a  friend.'  ' 

The  large  window  at  the  front  of  the  church,  inscribed, 
"In  remembrance  of  the  members  of  this  church  in  early 
days — they  rest  from  their  labors  and  their  works  do  fol- 
low them,"  was  paid  for  partly  from  the  profits  on  the  sale 
of  her  book  and  is  thus  a  true  memorial  of  her  and  her  in- 
valuable service  in  preserving  for  us  the  traditions  of  the 
past. 

In  fulfillment  of  a  promise  made  to  Mrs.  Reilly  years 
ago,  and  almost  forgotten,  I  take  up  the  task  she  laid  down 
and  shall  endeavor  to  continue,  in  the  same  spirit,  the  rec- 
ord of  the  last  thirty  years  to  the  present  time ;  being  of  the 
third  generation  of  those  who  worshipped  in  the  "Little 
Church  on  the  Hill." 

Delving  into  the  musty  volumes  of  the  records  of  ses- 
sion, trustees  and  sewing  society,  so  faithfully  kept  by  sec- 
retary and  treasurer,  many  interesting  things  have  come  to 
light  which  are  here  also  set  down  as  a  connected  story  of 
the  faith  and  good  works  of  a  century. 


CHAPTER  III. 


THE  EVOLUTION  OF  A  SOUL. 

With  an  inherited  marble  pulpit,  family  portraits  and 
mahogany  furniture,  Walnut  Street  Church  has  come  into 
possessions  of  marked  spiritual  characteristics  of  mind  and 
heart,  which  endear  her  to  her  members.  This  evolution  of 
soul  has  been  wrought  by  men  and  women  "of  like  passions 
with  ourselves,"  who  sought  prayerfully  and  earnestly  to 
follow  the  example  of  the  ministering  Christ.  These  fur- 
nishings of  the  Spirit,  too,  we  must  preserve  and  hand  down 
to  generations  yet  to  come. 

Records  kept  from  the  earliest  times  show  the  founda- 
tions to  have  been  laid  deep  in  faith  and  principle  and  broad 
in  fellowship  and  charity. 

She  has  had  always  an  educated  ministry. 

The  first  ministers  were  home  missionaries  from  the 
East,  graduates  of  Theological  Seminaries,  fired  with  zeal 
for  the  salvation  of  the  new  states  of  the  distant  West.  Their 
successors  have  always  been  men  of  broad  college  education 
and  scholarly  attainments,  whose  exposition  of  the  scrip- 
tures and  evangelical  fervor  have  stirred  both  mind  and 
heart. 

In  the  three  stages  of  Evansville's  progress,  education- 
ally, Walnut  Street  has  played  no  mean  part.  Mrs.  Jeremiah 
Barnes,  wife  of  the  minister,  established  a  school  for  young 
ladies.  Mr.  W.  Safford  in  his  private  Classical  School, 
held  in  the  Sunday  School  building  adjoining  the  church, 
laid  well  the  foundation  of  education  for  many  of  the  lead- 
ing men  and  women  of  the  last  century.  Mr.  Horatio 
Q.  Wheeler,  founder  of  the  public  schools  of  Evansville,  and 
Mr.  Wm.  Baker,  one  of  the  first  trustees,  added  the  super- 
structure of  universal  training  and  Mr.  George  S.  ClitTord 
has  helped  to  build  a  capstone  in  Evansville  College.  All 
through  the  years,  public  school  superintendents  and  teach- 
ers have  been  members  of  the  session  and  congregation. 

While  firm  in  her  faith,  she  has  been  broad  in  her  fel- 
lowship. 

She  has  welcomed  to  her  pulpit  men  of  all  denomina- 
tions and  has  been  active  in  every  union  effort  of  the  vari- 
ous churches  for  evangelistic  meetings  or  community  wel- 
fare. Her  lecture  room  has  been  used  freely  for  all  move- 
ments of  social  uplift. 

In  all  misunderstandings  with  other  Presbyterian 
churches,  she  has  been  conciliatory  and  "forbearing  in  love," 

111 


heeding  the  admonition,  "As  much  as  lieth  in  you,  live  peace- 
ably with  all  men.'  ' 

Through  all  the  years  she  has  had  a  world  vision.  To 
pray  and  to  give  to  missions  has  been  her  duty  and  delight. 
In  the  midst  of  her  struggles  with  pioneer  conditions,  with 
pressing  need  at  home  and  crippling  debt  ever  at  her  door, 
she  seldom  failed  to  send  monthly  contributions  to  the  vari- 
ous Boards  of  the  Church.  Usually  a  Sabbath  Service  and 
one  prayer  meeting  a  month  has  been  set  aside,  by  decree  of 
the  session,  for  the  study  of  missions  and  for  intercessory 
prayer. 

On  the  other  hand,  she  has  always  felt  deeply  her  re- 
sponsibility for  couiuninity  service.  Two  mission  churches. 
First  Avenue  and  Parke  Memorial,  were  established  and 
maintained  until  self-supporting. 

Just  after  the  Civil  War  the  session  received  and  ap- 
proved a  plan  for  the  union  with  other  churches  in  the  sup- 
port of  a  city  missionary.  The  trained  community  nurses, 
who  replace  the  practical  volunteers,  have  always  her  gen- 
erous support  in  money  and  supplies. 

The  Church  has  been  foremost  in  every  city  movement 
for  good.  Its  members  have  been  active  leaders  and  gen- 
erous donors  to  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  Temperance  Reform  and 
Y.  W.  C.  A.,  Visiting  Nurse  and  Babies'  Milk  Fund,  Sewing 
Schools,  forerunner  of  the  vocational.  Boy  Scouts,  Associ- 
ated Charity  and  Community  Welfare.  In  one  year  $30,000 
was  given  by  Walnut  Street  to  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  Olivet  and  Wash- 
ington Avenue  churches. 

She  has  endeavored  to  cultivate  the  grace  of  cordiality 
and  sociabilitij,  her  ideal,  a  true  Christian  Democracy,  with 
no  lines  of  caste  or  class.  Ministers  and  members  who  move 
to  other  communities  refer  lovingly  to  their  happy  church 
home  in  Walnut  Street.  In  the  few  disagreements,  there 
has  always  been  some  wise  leader  to  suggest  a  compromise 
or  smooth  the  troubled  waters.  Friendly  rivalry  there  has 
been,  but  no  factions,  intolerant  of  the  rights  of  others. 

All  of  these  things  have  begotten  a  remarkable  loyalty 
and  devotion  for  the  Church  of  our  fathers,  which  has 
caused  the  members  three  times  to  refuse  suggestions  of 
union  with  other  Presbyterian  churches,  theoretically  desir- 
able but  practically  inadvisable. 

May  the  soul  evolved  through  a  hundred  years  of  "faith 
provoking  works",  still  inspire  to  renewed  effort  for  the 
Church  and  the  Community. 

112 


CHAPTER  IV. 


MEN'S  ORGANIZATIONS— THE  SESSION. 

Presbyterianism,  with  its  essential  idea  of  representa- 
tive government  came  to  Evansville  as  a  home  missionary 
impulse  of  the  earlier  and  well-established  town  of  Hender- 
son, Kentucky.  Twelve  men  and  women  were  gathered  to- 
gether in  1821  by  Rev.  D.  C.  Banks,  minister  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  at  that  place,  as  the  beginning  of  the  Evans- 
ville Presbyterian  Church.  These  names,  form  the  first  en- 
try in  the  musty  volume  of  the  Session,  its  pages  yellow  with 
age:  Daniel  Chute,  James  R.  E.  Goodlett,  Wm,  Olmsted,  Abi- 
gail Fairchild,  Julia  Ann  Harrison,  Rebecca  Wood,  Mrs. 
Chandler,  Mr.  Butler,  Mrs.  Smith,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Sher- 
wood, Eli  Sherwood,  Mrs.  0.  Warner. 

Of  this  number,  Daniel  Chute,  the  schoolmaster,  and  J. 
R.  E.  Goodlett,  were  at  once  elected  Elders,  Judge  Olmsted 
replacing  J.  R.  E.  Goodlett  in  a  few  years.  In  1832,  when 
the  first  church  was  built,  there  were  twenty-three  names 
on  the  roll,  several  husbands  of  loyal  women  being,  how- 
ever, generous  contributors.  Several  of  these  afterwards 
came  into  active  membership. 

There  are  several  descendants  of  those  who  worshipped 
in  the  Little  Church  on  the  Hill  before  the  building  of  this 
present  church,  now  on  the  active  membership  roll: 
1836— Mr.  Samuel  Orr,  Elder ;  Mrs.  Martha  Orr. 

Grandchildren — Mr.   Samuel   L.   Orr,   Mrs.   Geo.   S. 
Clifford. 

Great-grandchildren — Samuel  Orr,  3rd,  George  and 
James  Clifford. 
1837— Daniel  Morgan,  M.  D.,  Trustee. 

Daughter — Miss  Julia  Morgan. 

Granddaughter — Miss  Matilda  Dixon. 
1842— Mrs.  McDonald  (Farrell). 

Daughter — Mrs.  Robert  Smith. 
1850 — Mrs,  Cornelia  Morris  Garvin. 

Granddaughter — Mrs.  J.  Stuart  Hopkins. 

Great-granddaughter — Susan  Hopkins. 
1850 — Mr.  James  Swanson,  Trustee. 

Grandson — Mr.  Al  Swanson. 
1854 — Mrs.  Ann  Davidson. 

Daughters — Miss     Mary      Davidson,      Mrs.     Susan 
Brown,  Miss  Henrietta  Davidson. 
1856 — Miss  Lavinia  Scantlin. 

113 


1856 — Mrs.  Jane  Scantlin. 

Daughter — Miss  Ethel  Scantlin. 
1856 — Mr.  James  H.  Cutler,  Trustee. 
1857 — Mrs.  Lorain  Cutler. 

Son— Mr.  Will  H.  Cutler. 

Granddaughters — Mrs.   Adolph,  Geiss,   Miss   Lorain 
Cutler. 
1856— Mrs.  Mary  E.  Babcock. 

Grandson — Mr.  Henry  Babcock  Veatch. 
1856 — Miss  Laura  Moore  (Mrs.  Laura  Linck). 
Daughter — Mrs.  John  Owen. 
Grandsons — John  and  Francis  Owen. 
1861— Mrs.  Nancy  McClain. 

Granddaughter — Mrs.  S.  Bohrer. 

Mrs.  Lorain  Cutler  and  Miss  Lavinia  Scantlin  are  the 
only  living  members  of  that  original  church.  Mrs.  Cutler 
celebrated  her  91st  birthday  in  the  summer  of  1921,  and  is 
still  a  regular  attendant  at  the  various  services  of  the 
church.  Mr.  George  Goodge  was  a  member  of  the  S.  S..  He 
and  Mrs.  Goodge  celebrated  their  golden  wedding  several 
years  ago.  Miss  Annie  Reilly,  the  daughter  of  Mrs.  Mary 
F.  Reilly  is  an  active  member  today. 

Of  all  the  rest,  who  are  but  names  to  us,  surely  a  book 
of  remembrance  has  been  written  before  the  Lord,  for  them, 
who  feared  Him  and  that  thought  upon  His  name. 

One  of  the  traditions  handed  down  by  word  of  mouth  is, 
that  in  those  early  days  the  Church  on  the  Hill  could  only  be 
approached  in  bad  weather  by  crossing  a  deep  mire  at  its 
base.  It  was,  therefore,  the  custom  to  announce  at  morning 
service,  that  Bro.  S.  would  wait  at  a  distant  corner  with  a 
lantern  to  illumine  the  path  of  those  desiring  to  "ascend  into 
the  Hill  of  the  Lord,"  for  evening  meeting.  We  can  picture, 
in  imagination,  that  procession  of  the  faithful  few,  in  high 
hats  and  long  coats,  voluminous  long  skirts  and  bonnets,  in 
brooding  darkness,  following  the  single  gleam  of  light  to 
the  place  of  worship. 

In  these  days  of  the  assertion  of  individual  rights  and 
universal  tolerance,  certain  incidents  of  the  discipline  of  the 
Session  of  the  early  days  narrated  in  the  minutes,  may  be 
of  interest.  With  the  elders  of  those  early  days  it  was  a 
duty  not  to  be  evaded,  to  be  "overseers  of  the  flock" — to  ad- 
monish and  discipline  when  necessary. 

Mrs.  Reilly  hints  at  cases  of  discipline,  but  the  minutes 
are  very  explicit: 

"January  18,  1852. 

114 


"Mr.  G.  B.  cited  to  appear  before  Session  and  give  rea- 
sons for  his  neglect  of  the  means  of  grace  as  dispensed 
in  this  church  and  answer  the  inquiry  as  to  his  having 
been  seen  by  the  pastor  under  the  influence  of  ardent 
spirits.  At  the  meeting  Mr.  B.  admitted  having  ab- 
sented himself  from  means  of  grace.  He  also  admitted 
that  he  had  drank  liquor  frequently  and  had  been  seen 
by  the  pastor  of  the  church  very  much  under  its  in- 
fluence. Reason  given  was  that  he  thought  it  neces- 
sary for  his  health,  though  it  did  not  appear  so  to  the 
Session. 

"It  was  finally  resolved, 

"That  Mr.  G.  B.  is  hereby  suspended  from  the  commun- 
ion of  the  church  until  he  shall  give  satisfactory  evi- 
dence of  repentance.  Mr.  B.  was  also  apprised  that  the 
object  of  his  suspension  was  to  reclaim  him  to  a  chris- 
tian course  and  that  it  would  be  his  duty  to  improve  this 
action  of  the  church,  and  that  if  he  should  be  persisting 
in  the  course  he  had  so  long  pursued — refuse  to  hear 
the  church — then  he  must  be  wholly  excommunicated 
from  it." 

The  records  show  a  number  of  cases  brought  before  the 
Session  on  account  of  overindulgence  in  ardent  spirits.  Some 
years  later  when  Evansville  was  beginning  to  be  a  city,  there 
is  the  record  of  a  case  where  a  father  and  son  were  cited  to 
appear  before  the  Session.  The  father  charged  by  common 
fayne  with  intoxication  and  neglect  of  the  worship  and  or- 
dinances of  Gods'  House ;  the  son,  with  unchristian  conduct 
in  habitually  attending  the  theatre  and  frequenting  places  of 
dissipated  resort.  The  pastor  reported  that  the  son  had  con- 
fessed to  him  that  he  attended  the  theatre  and  that  it  had 
been  reported  to  him  by  his  father  and  mother,  and  mem- 
bers of  the  Session  were  able  to  affirm  that  they  had  seen 
him  in  doubtful  company  and  hanging  around  places  of  evil 
resort,  as  billiard  saloons,  restaurants,  etc. 

All  these  things  our  fathers  believed  scandalized  the 
good  name  of  the  church  and  they  were  not  only  very  jealous 
of  that  good  name,  but  they  also  wanted  to  reclaim  the  sin- 
ners— and  adverse  action  was  taken  deliberately  and  prayer- 
fully and  only  after  personal  appeals  had  failed. 

As  late  as  1894  an  elder  was  appointed  by  the  Session 
to  wait  upon  a  member  "charged  by  common  fame  with  un- 
christian conduct." 

In  1908  the  Session  of  Walnut  Street  Church  issued  in- 
vitations to  the  pastors  and  elders  of  all  the  Presbyterian 
Churches  of  the  city  to  meet  at  Walnut  Street  and  discuss 

115 


the  advisability  of  the  organization  of  a  Presbyterian  Alli- 
ance, Mr.  Kennedy,  the  pastor,  having  been  a  member  of 
such  an  alliance  in  Detroit,  Mich.  Its  object  was  a  closer 
fellowship  between  the  churches  and  concerted  action  in  the 
establishment  of  mission  churches.  Mr.  George  Clifford  of 
Walnut  Street  was  elected  its  first  president.  It  was  in  ex- 
istence only  a  few  years.  Instead  of  unity,  today  the  Pres- 
byterian Churches  are  divided  into  two  schools  of  theology 
with  membership  in  opposing  ministerial  associations. 

From  1870-1896,  the  membership  varied  from  227  to 
485,  the  present  roll  about  300. 

The  present  Communion  Set  was  purchased  in  1864 
for  use  in  the  new  church,  the  change  to  individual  glasses 
being  made  in  Dr.  Nickerson's  pastorate. 

Two  young  men  of  the  congregation  have  entered  the 
ministry  with  the  help  and  encouragement  of  the  Session, 
both  attending  Wabash  College: 

Charles  Perkins,  1871, 
August  Sonne,  Class  of  '96. 


There  is  still  in  use  on  the  pulpit  a  large  Bible,  pub- 
lished in  1827,  inscribed  "Presented  to  the  First  Presby- 
terian Church  by  the  Young  Men  of  the  Congregation." 

Also  preserved  is  a  leather  volume  inscribed,  "Prison 
Record"  Walnut  St.  Presbyterian  Church,  1870,  which  i?j 
calculated  to  arouse  some  curiosity.  Turning  its  pages  we 
find  detailed  records  of  prisoners  in  the  County  Jail  ,visited 
by  godly  eldei-s,  ministering  in  the  Masters'  name  and  for 
His  sake. 

In  1882  the  Session  was  enlarged  and  rotation  of  eld- 
ers inaugurated,  the  term  being  three  years. 

Mr.  James  L.  Orr  and  Mr.  Byron  Parsons  were  among 
those  elected  at  that  time,  and  were  re-elected  until  Mr.  Orr 
had  served  37  years  at  the  time  of  his  death.  Mr.  Parsons 
is  still  active,  which  makes  his  the  longest  term  on  record. 
Mr.  Melvin  H.  Lockyear  served  as  clerk  of  the  Session  25 
years,  being  elected  to  the  eldership  in  1891. 
On  the  present  Board  today,  are: 
H.  W.  Little,  Clerk  M.  H.  Lockyear 

Byron  Parsons  J.  M.  Culver 

Geo.  S.  Clifford  S.  M.  Rutherford 

W.  L.  Sullivan  M.  R.  Kirk 

W.  E.  Wilson  C.  W.  Clarke 

H.  J.  Pfafflin  Fred  Ruff 

The  chief  concern  of  the  elders  and  the  principle  sub- 

116 


ject  of  discussion,  recorded  in  the  minutes,  is  the  spiritual 
condition  of  the  church.  In  the  old  days,  when  Zion  lan- 
guished," it  was  cause  for  sorrow  and  prayer,  for  planning 
protracted  meetings  usually  under  the  leadership  of  Rev. 
Henry  Little,  Synodical  Home  Missionary  and  Saint  of  God, 
in  later  years  uniting  with  other  churches  in  great  taber- 
nacle evangelistic  meetings.  When  numbers  were  converted 
and  enthusiasm  revived,  there  was  joy  and  thanksgiving 
among  the  elders  on  earth  as  well  as  the  angels  in  Heaven. 


MEN'S  ORGANIZATIONS— BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES. 

The  official  title  of  the  church  has  always  been  the  Ev- 
ansville  Presbyterian  Church,  but  it  has  been  at  various 
times  popularly  known  as  "The  Little  Church  on  the  Hill," 
the  "Old"  Presbyterian,  the  "First"  Presbyterian,  and  the 
"Walnut  St.  Presbyterian  Church."  Mrs.  Reilly  gives  in  de- 
tail the  efforts  of  trustees  in  1831  to  purchase  a  lot  and  erect 
a  meeting  house. 

In  1848  there  was  a  movement  to  build  a  new  church 
in  a  different  location,  but  it  was  dropped  and  we  find  in  the 
records  committees  appointed  to  repair  steps  and  fences 
and  redecorate  the  interior  "agreeably  to  the  wishes  of  the 
ladies  inasmuch  as  they  have  to  foot  the  bills."  The  trus- 
tees that  year  were  Alonson  Warner,  John  Shanklin,  Sam- 
uel Orr,  Daniel  Woolsey  and  Conrad  Baker. 

Treasurers'  books  from  1849-1872  are  preserved  and 
show  frequent  personal  advances  to  meet  current  expenses, 
which  are  carried  as  a  note  for  years,  but  finally  ordered 
paid  and  allowed  on  future  assessments.  Our  businesslike 
budget  is  no  new  thing,  for  in  1857,  Dr.  Daniel  Morgan, 
Chairman  of  Finance  Committee,  presented  an  itemized  es- 
timate of  receipts  and  expenditures  showing  a  probable  de- 
ficiency of  $57.00,  "provided  all  relied  upon  is  collected."  The 
congregation  promptly  added  to  the  "probable  deficiency"  by 
increasing  the  pastor's  salary  $200.00,  making  it  $1,000.00 

The  election  of  trustees  and  the  renting  of  pews  were 
for  many  years  advertised  in  the  daily  newspapers,  and 
spirited  bidding  for  the  first  choice  of  pews  was  encouraged. 

One  cannot  but  wonder  at  the  faith  of  the  trustees  who 
undertook  the  building  of  this  church  in  1860,  and  their 
names  deserve  to  be  recorded: — 

Wm.  Baker,  Treasurer  Charles  S.  Wells 

John  W.  Foster,  Secretary      James  Swanson 
James  E.  Blythe  Dr.  Daniel  Morgan 

117 


Dr.  Morgan  and  Mr.  Swanson  were  especially  active, 
being  on  the  committee  to  select  and  purchase  the  ground, 
engage  contractors,  oversee  construction,  even  to  the  "count- 
ing of  the  bricks."  Dr.  Morgan  was  graduated  from  Yale 
College  in  1837,  the  same  year  coming  to  Evansville  and 
uniting  with  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Although  one  of  the 
leading  physicians  of  the  town,  he  found  time  for  this  im- 
portant church  duty,  climbing  to  the  top  of  the  steeple  when 
in  process  of  construction  and  watching  every  little  detail. 
An  itemized  account  of  reecipts  and  expenditures  was  sys- 
tematically kept  by  the  Treasurer  in  a  small  blank  book 
which  is  preserved. 

The  summary  of  the  Church  Erection  Fund  in  1861  is 
as  follows : 

Lot  sold  ..$8,575.00 

Subscriptions 5,252.43 

Loans 1,800.00 

Interest 87.67 

Ladies'  Sewing  Society 975.00 

Old  bell 146.80 

(Old  bell — weight  400  pounds,  sold  to  packet  City  of  Evans- 
ville, at  Cincinnati.) 

Disbursements. 

Lot  purchased $  1,739.26 

Excavation 172.20 

Sand  and  water 360.95 

Incidentals    581.44 

Rock  work  741.43 

Basement  floor  21.28 

Brick  and  brick  work  5,290.00 

Clark's  contract 3,307.70 

Lumber    _     2,165.44 

Lime  460.60 

Iron  work  785.31 

Painting 10.00 

Roofing    222.00 

Contract    100.00 


$15,957.69 

Among  other  items  for  the  completion  of  the  upstairs 
auditorium  in  1863,  $3,750  for  carpenter  work  and  seats  in 
allowed. 

Plans  and  specifications  were  furnished  by  S.  D.  Button 
of  Philadelphia.  Levi  S.  Clark  was  superintendent  of  con- 
struction.   Slate  was  purchased  in  New  Orleans.  Mr.  George 

113 


Lant,  Sr.,  had  the  brick  contract  with  Mr.  George  W.  Goodge 
as  apprentice.  Both  Mr.  Lant  and  Mr.  Goodge  are  still 
living,  Mr.  Lant  in  his  92nd  year. 

Mr.  George  W.  Goodge,  requested  for  some  remini- 
scenses,  writes:  "I  attended  Sabbath  School  and  Church 
services  in  the  little  frame  Church  on  the  Hill  which  stood 
on  the  alley  corner  on  the  east  side  of  Second  Street  between 
Main  and  Locust,  where  Strouse  and  Bros,  store  is  now  lo- 
cated. There  was  a  vacant  space  of  ground  between  the 
church  and  a  frame  store  on  the  corner  where  Schlaepfer's 
Drug  Store  now  stands.  I  attended  the  church  between  the 
years  of  1853  and  1858.  Rev.  Wm.  H.  McCarer  was  the  min- 
ister, a  man  not  only  loved  by  the  members  of  the  church 
but  also  by  the  people  generally.  In  the  year  1859  I  went 
with  Lant  Brothers  to  learn  the  brick  laying  trade  and  in 
1860  they  were  given  the  contract  to  build  the  church  build- 
ing on  the  corner  of  Second  and  Walnut.  Their  contract 
called  for  the  wrecking  of  the  little  Church  on  the  Hill  and 
I  was  sent  to  help  in  the  work  of  tearing  down.  Although 
sixty-one  years  have  passed,  I  have  not  forgotten  the  wasps. 
In  those  early  days  they  were  thick  in  the  cracks  and  crev- 
ices of  all  buildings  and  fought  hard  when  their  homes  were 
destroyed.  They  had  lodged  in  the  cornice  of  the  church 
and  stung  the  workmen  .  It  was  in  the  Lant  Brothers'  con- 
tract to  use  two  thousand  of  the  old  brick  out  of  the  foun- 
dation of  the  old  church  in  the  new  building,  which  was 
done.  I  worked  on  the  building  till  it  was  ready  for  the 
roof." 

The  name  "Evansville  Presbyterian  Church,"  made  in 
wooden  letters,  cut  by  hand  from  a  single  piece  of  wood,  was 
nailed  to  the  front  of  the  church.  Two  letters  "L"  and  "E", 
were  preserved  by  Mr.  Goodge  and  recently  presented  to 
the  church. 

The  subscription  list  included  all  the  prominent  mer- 
chants of  the  town,  of  all  creeds. 

The  indebtedness  in  1863,  on  the  completion  of  the 
building,  was  $10,200.00 — a  sum  to  daunt  the  bravest  hearts. 

It  was  not  entirely  paid  off  until  1881.  During  Mr. 
Kumler's  pastorate  and  under  his  persuasive  eloquence  in 
spite  of  debt,  the  church  benevolences  increased  three-fold, 
making'  a  total  to  all  boards  of  $1,015.43.  Concerning  one 
item  of  $300.00,  the  following  tale  is  told.  Under  the  elo- 
quent plea  of  Dr.  Kumler  preaching  on  the  text,  "Watch- 
man, what  of  the  night?"  a  stranger  was  seen  to  put  into 
the  plate  a  large  roll  of  bills.  When  the  Treasurer  counted 
it  and  found  it  $300.00,  he  was  sure  a  mistake  had  been 

119 


made,  and  called  upon  the  stranger  at  his  hotel  to  rectify 
it.  The  man  proved  to  be  Mr,  Thaw,  a  millionaire  of  Pitts- 
burg, and  a  loyal  Presbyterian,  who  explained  that  it  was 
his  custom,  on  that  day,  wherever*  he  might  be,  to  put  in  his 
offering  for  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions. 

In  1869,  the  trustees  bravely  launched  out  into  the  ex- 
periment of  free  pews,  the  necessary  budget  to  be  raised  by 
assessment  of  members,  the  amount  ranging  from  $8.00  to 
$200.00.  There  was  some  objection,  of  course,  and  although 
the  income  produced  was  larger  it  was  still  insufficient.  In 
1873,  in  a  hope  to  remedy  this  deficiency,  the  envelope  sys- 
tem of  weekly  contributions  was  inaugurated.  In  1873  also 
the  choir  box  at  the  front  of  the  church  was  built  and  the 
choir  moved  from  the  gallery  at  the  back.  The  trustees  gave 
their  consent  to  the  change,  "if  they  were  not  asked  to  pay 
for  it."  In  the  same  year  two  new  furnaces  were  installed  at 
a  cost  of  450.00,  but  had  to  be  replaced  in  1884  at  a  cost  of 
$700.00. 

These  seem  to  have  been  "lean  years,"  for  time  after 
time,  the  trustees  met  to  "discuss  the  situation  (lack  of 
funds),  failed  to  come  to  any  definite  conclusion;  postponed 
action  and  adjourned,"  renewing  the  note  in  the  bank  mean- 
time. In  1875,  the  Treasurer  proposed  an  assessment  of 
members,  based  on  the  county  lists  for  taxation.  He  pre- 
sented figures  from  tax  duplicates,  showing  members  had 
ample  property  to  produce  required  income  by  the  impo- 
sition of  an  advalorem  tax.  This  plan  did  not  meet  with 
the  approval  of  the  majority  of  the  wealthy  members 
and  provoked  a  spirited  discussion  between  property  own- 
ers and  salaried  men.  They  decided  to  assess  each  one  at 
what  they  ought  to  give  and  to  get  them  to  stand  for  it  if 
possible,  a  plan  still  followed. 

The  church  clock  now  hanging  in  the  lecture  room  was 
purchased  in  1875. 

In  1883,  after  clearing  the  church  of  debt,  there  was  a 
fat  year  with  a  balance  of  42  cents.  Encouraged  by  this  un- 
usual balance,  the  trustees  plunged  into  debt  again  in  the 
purchase  of  a  new  organ  for  $2,300,  plus  the  old  organ. 
In  1883,  also  the  present  parsonage  was  built  by  Mr.  James 
L.  Orr  and  Mrs.  Martha  Orr  Bayard  as  a  memorial  to  their 
father  and  mother;  Mr.  George  Goodge  taking  especial  in- 
terest in  superintending  the  building. 

In  1886  the  projecting  gallery  was  removed,  stairs 
changed  from  the  dangerous  winding  type  to  the  present 
ones  with  landing,  a  new  galvanized  steel  ceiling  was  put 
in,  walls  redecorated,  a  new  carpet  bought,  oak  pews  re- 

120 


placed  the  uncomfortable,  square  walnut  ones,  and  similar 
pulpit  furniture,  the  marble  mantel  and  mahogany  sofa,  the 
communion  table  being  presented  by  the  C.  E.  Society.  The 
next  few  years,  1887-1903,  improvements  mulitplied — street 
paving  $800.00,  fence  removed  and  cement  walks  laid  "at 
the  request  of  the  ladies  who  offered  to  pay  the  expense." 

Mr.  George  Goodge  superintended  all  this  work  with- 
out pay,  venturing  fearlessly  to  the  top  of  the  roof  or  the 
depths  of  the  cellar  in  his  investigations.  There  have  al- 
ways been  among  the  trustees  practical  men  of  affairs, 
whose  business  was  consecrated,  as  well  as  themselves,  to 
the  use  of  the  church.  Among  such,  one  recalls  Mr.  Mat- 
thew Dalzell,  whose  daily  walk  lay  past  the  church,  Mr.  W. 
H,  Lehnhard,  whose  mill  supplied  all  the  board  and  tres- 
tles needed  for  entertainments,  Mr.  Alexander  Crawford, 
with  advice  and  tools  for  every  leak  (this  was  the  days  of 
gas),  and  Mr.  James  L.  Orr,  to  whom  the  Lord's  house  was 
an  especial  care.  Today  a  mechanically  inclined  pastor  and 
Mr.  Henry  B.  Veatch  can  supply  every  need. 

Two  treasurers  merit  especial  mention.  Mr,  Wm.  Baker 
for  15  years  and  Mr.  Philip  Decker  for  20  years'  continuous 
service.  In  meeting  monthly  bills  with  insufficient  funds, 
they  were  obliged  to  walk  by  faith,  not  sight.  They,  like 
their  successors,  Mr.  Alex  Crawford,  Mr.  Wm.  E.  Wilson 
and  Mr.  Harry  Dodson,  were  called  as  Israel  of  old  to  make 
"bricks  without  straw." 

Ushering  has  always  been  a  duty  of  the  trustees. 
Among  the  pleasant  memories  of  the  old  church  one  remem- 
bers the  welcome  of  smile  and  hand  clasp  at  the  door  of  Mr, 
J.  N.  McCoy,  Mr.  James  L.  Orr,  Mr.  Byron  Persons,  Mr. 
Ed  Wemyss  and  a  host  of  others.  Mr.  Elwood  Moore  has 
a  well  earned  record  of  faithfulness,  day  and  night,  as  usher. 

In  1916  the  duplex  system  of  envelopes,  with  weekly 
payments  ,one  side  current  expenses  and  the  other  benevo- 
lences, was  adopted.  It  involved  a  systematic  visitation  of 
every  member  on  a  certain  Sunday  in  April  for  definite 
pledges  for  the  year.  This  largely  increased  the  income. 
The  New  Era  assessments  set  a  new  standard  of  banevol- 
ences  and  again  tested  the  faith  of  the  trustees.  The  assess- 
ment for  1917  for  the  church  boards  amounted  to  $600.66 
and  was  increased  in  1921  to  $2,288.00,  including  the  Wo- 
man's Missionary  Society.  In  1919,  the  manse  was  repaired 
and  electrified  at  an  expense  of  $1,322.88,  exclusive  of  the 
work  done  by  the  Ladies'  Aid.     In  1920  the  repair  bill  for 

121 


replacing  of  the  cornice  of  the  tower  was  $2,060.03.  In 
1921  a  Centennial  fund  of  $1,500.00  was  raised  to  provide 
for  the  expense  of  the  celebration  and  to  start  the  old  church 
into  the  new  centurj^  free  of  debt. 

The  present  Board  of  Trustees  consists  of : 

Mr.  Samuel  L.  Orr,  Chairman. 
Mr.  B.  F.  Persons,  Vice-Chairman. 
Mr.  W.  H.  Cutler,  Secretary. 
Mr.  Ed.  Kiechle,  Treasurer. 
Dr.  E.  C.  Johnson. 
Dr.  E.  P.  Busse. 

In  1920  a  Board  of  Deacons  was  instituted  of  the  young- 
er men  of  the  congregation,  as  a  training  school  for  elders 
and  trustees  and  to  relieve  the  trustees  of  the  details  of  rais- 
ing and  expending  funds,  the  trustees  retaining  the  holding 
and  auditing  powers.  A  joint  meeting  of  both  boards  is 
held  quarterly  and  when  any  financial  policy  is  in  question 
the  two  boards  must  act  in  conjunction. 

Mr.  Ed.  Wemyss,  Chairman. 

Mr.  A.  H.  Swanson,  Vice  Chairman. 

Mr.  Downey  Kerr,  Secretary. 

Mr.  H.  C.  Dodson,  Treasurer. 

Mr.  Henry  B.  Veatch. 

Mr.  Boaz  Crawford. 

Mr.  Roy  S.  Atkinson. 

Mr.  Henry  Faul. 

Mr.  Glen  Ogle. 


Mens'  Brotherhood. 

A  Brotherhood  of  68  members  was  organized  in  1904 
and  continued  until  1912,  the  number  increasing  to  81. 
There  was  frequent  banquets  with  speakers  on  topics  of  in- 
terest, but  no  altruistic  object  for  united  and  continuous  ef- 
fort. Of  late  years  the  monthly  congregational  suppers  and 
the  Mens'  Bible  Class  have  taken  the  place  of  the  former 
Brotherhood.  The  latter  was  organized  in  1920  with  a 
membership  of  87,  and  is  taught  by  the  pastor. 


122 


CHAPTER  V. 


MEMORIES  OF  THE  EARLY  DAYS  OF  THE  WOMAN'S 

MISSIONARY  SOCIETY  OF  THE  WALNUT  ST. 

PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 


Our  President  has  asked  for  a  short  history  of  our  so- 
ciety. Figures  you  would  soon  forget.  Part  of  what  I  bring 
to  you  today,  some  have  heard,  for  it  is  history  which  can- 
not be  taken  from,  but  may  be  added  to.  I  will  give  a  few 
incidents  regarding  the  formation  and  progress  of  our 
work;  which  stand  as  beacon  lights  of  memory;  as  I  can 
hardly  give  a  connected  history  of  forty-eight  years  work, 
in  the  ten  minutes  allotted  me. 

May  31,  1871,  Mrs.  J.  P.  E.  Kumler,  wife  of  our  pas- 
tor at  that  time,  called  a  meeting  of  the  women  of  oui" 
church.  Twenty-six  responded.  She  informed  us  of  the  or- 
ganization of  a  Woman's  Board  of  Missions  and  of  a  call 
made  to  all  Presbyterian  women  to  fall  in  line,  to  assemble 
themselves  in  societies,  as  auxiliaries  to  it.  We  entered 
heartily  into  the  project  and  elected  our  officers : 

President — Mrs.  Abbie  Kumler. 

Vice-President — Mrs.  Sarah  McCarer  (  wife  of  a  former 
pastor) . 

Secretary — Miss  Lavinia  Scantlin. 

Treasurer — Mrs.  Lorain  M.  Cutler. 

We  certainly  did  begin  right  in  some  respects.  "What 
shall  we  call  our  Society?"  Mrs.  Kumler  asked.  One  woman 
replied,  "The  Woman's  Home  and  Foreign  Missionary  So- 
ciety of  the  Walnut  Street  Presbyterian  Church."  Another 
said,  "Christ  never  spoke  of  Home  and  Foreign,  but  did  say, 
beginning  at  Jerusalem,  'Go  preach  the  gospel  to  every  crea- 
ture' ;  let  us  call  it  'The  Woman's  Missionary  Society  of  the 
Walnut  Street  Presbyterian  Church'  ".  All  agreed.  In  those 
days,  the  only  word  used  to  designate  our  gifts  was  dues. 
The  President  asked,  "What  shall  the  dues  be?"  One  re- 
plied, "Twenty-five  cents  a  month  is  as  little  as  any  one 
would  think  of  giving."  Another,  a  catch  in  her  voice,  (who 
never  thought  of  beginning  with  less  than  that  herself) 

123 


said,  "Oh!  Madam  President,  today  we  have  nineteen 
widows  in  our  church,  two  of  whom,  with  their  needle,  sup- 
pore  themselves,  feed,  clothe  and  educate  two  fatherless 
boys ;  they  are  praying  women,  we  must  have  them  and  how 
can  they  pay  fifty  cents  a  month?"  "What  do  you  suggest?" 
asked  Mrs.  Kumler.  That  was  a  home  thrust,  she  had  never 
once  thought  of  naming  any  sum  for  others  to  give,  but  im- 
mediately answered,  'From  five  cents  to  five  dollars,  if  any 
one  is  able  and  willing  to  give  it." 

A  muftled  clap  of  hands,  and  that  suggestion  was 
adopted,  and  comes  very  near  the  pledge  called  for  today, 
viz.,  "To  give  as  God  has  prospered  us."  The  two  widows 
especially  mentioned,  came  and  they  prayed,  and  gave  five 
cents  each.  There  came  a  time  when  we  missed  them  for  a 
few  months;  being  visited,  one  of  them  with  tears  in  her 
eyes  confessed  that  they  did  not  have  even  the  dime  to  con- 
tribute. Suddenly  a  silver  dollar  fell  on  her  lap  and  her  vis- 
itor said,  "You  seem  to  have  money;  give  me  that  dollar, 
it  will  more  than  cover  delinquencies,  come  back,  we  need 
you."  They  came  and  they  did  pray  more  earnestly  than 
ever  and  were  with  us  until  they  left  the  town. 

Well  do  I  remember,  with  what  trembling  speech,  the 
elected  treasurer  besought  Mrs.  Kumler  to  fill  that  place 
with  a  more  capable  and  experienced  person ;  but  that  wo- 
man of  powerful  presence  and  settled  determination,  re- 
plied, "You  need  not  think  that  these  women  have  plunged 
blindfolded  into  this  business.  You  have  been  discussed  in 
private  session.  You  never  were  so  much  talked  about  in 
your  life.  The  conclusion  is,  that  you  shall  be  the  treasurer, 
that  is  settled.'  '  So  meekly  submitting  to  that  woman's 
strong  will  and  forceful  speech,  she  timidly  turned  away 
and  out  of  total  inexperience,  with  trepidation  of  spirit, 
tried  to  evolve  a  Treasurer;  but  it  took  forty  years,  for  at 
every  election  she  was  returned  to  the  Treasuryship.  At  the 
end  of  that  time,  a  prolonged  illness  away  from  home,  com- 
pelled her  resignation.  On  returning  in  November,  she 
found  no  treasurer,  so  gathered  up  the  scattered  gifts  and 
forwarded  to  Presbyterial  Treasurer  and  declared  the  ofi'ice 
vacant ;  since  which  time  Mrs.  Etta  Archer  served  us  faith- 
fully five  years  and  was  obliged  to  resign  because  of  illness 
in  her  family.  For  the  past  two  years  Mrs.  Rose  Greek  has 
done  valiant  service  and  I  trust  that  she  will  fill  the  off'ice 
for  many  years  to  come.  Our  instructions  from  superior  of- 
ficers, both  Presbyterial  and  Synodical,  are,  "Retain  Treas- 
urers as  long  as  possible,  if  satisfactory,  as  changes  dis- 

124 


arrange  the  work."  Our  Presidents  have  come  and  gone, 
with  the  change  of  pastors ;  our  minister's  wife  being  hon- 
ored with  that  office  for  years. 

Allow  me  to  say  here  that  God  has  given  to  us  a  leader 
of  rare  ability  and  acceptability,  with  a  heart  consecrated  to 
His  service.  Let  us  show  our  appreciation  by  retaining  her, 
as  our  President  as  long  as  she  is  given  strength  for  the 
work.    Let  me  name  her — Mrs.  George  S.  Clifford. 

The  Secretaries,  I  confess  to  have  failed  to  keep  pace 
with.  Mrs.  Robert  Smith  served  many  years  as  Secretary 
and  President.  In  August  of  the  same  year  we  were  organ- 
ized, Mrs.  Kumler,  with  her  husband,  left  the  city,  when  we 
were  less  than  three  months  old.  One  of  our  dear,  good  sis- 
ters, among  the  most  generous  givers,  has  repeatedly  de- 
clared that"  she  did  not  think  the  Woman's  Missionary  So- 
ciety would  survive  six  months  after  her  departure.  Truly 
we  felt  like  a  child  bereft  of  its  parent,  but  realized  that  it 
was  God's  work  and  that  He  would  care  for  it,  if  we  stood 
with  a  strong  arm  faithful  to  our  trust.  The  first  year  we 
numbered  sixty-two.  Of  the  charter  members,  only  five  re- 
main today — Mrs.  Emily  Dalzell,  Mrs.  Oella  Parsons,  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Elles,  Miss  Lavinia  Scantlin  and  Mrs.  Lorain  M. 
Cutler.  Only  recently  Mrs.  Ann  Davidson  passed  away,  and 
as  we  re-write  this  record,  we  must  add  the  names  of  Mrs. 
Lizzie  Shanklin  and  Miss  Hannah  Hubbs  (these  three  also 
charter  members)  as  having  finished  their  work  on  earth. 
In  the  early  days  of  our  Society,  Mrs.  Martha  Orr  (wife  of 
Samuel  Orr,  our  oldest  elder)  was  a  constant  attendant  of 
our  meetings  and  ever  watchful  of  our  interests.  Mrs.  Eliza 
R,  Drew,  afterwards  Mrs.  Barnes,  was  rarely  absent ;  al- 
ways ready  to  pray,  read  Scripture,  or  give  an  account  of 
the  Presbyterial  meetings  which  she  was  sure  to  attend,  and 
from  her,  we  received  outside  information  of  the  work. 

Yet  another,  Mrs.  Sarah  Tyrrell,  was  a  most  devoted, 
capable  and  generous  member;  her  special  gift  being  ex- 
pounding Scripture,  of  which  she  made  a  constant  study  and 
led  many  woman's  meetings  of  various  organizations 
throughout  the  city.  With  faculties  somewhat  impaired  as 
to  earthly  things,  but  keenly  alive  to  the  interests  of  the 
Kingdom,  she  lingered  on  the  border,  longing  to  be  called 
over  into  the  land  of  eternal  light  and  glory,  whither  she 
went  in  early  September,  1919. 

As  I  before  stated,  the  first  year  we  numbered  sixty- 
two.  From  removals,  death,  and  change  of  mind,  fifteen 
left  us,  to  close  the  year  with  forty-seven.     An  interesting 


item  of  our  first  year's  work  is,  that  five  persons  gave  fifty 
cents  per  month ;  after  a  time  one  member  who  had  thought 
she  was  not  able  to  give  more  than  twenty-five  cents  began 
to  wonder  why,  and  decided  to  "Provoke  her  sisters  to  good 
works'  'by  doubling  her  gift.  As  soon  as  this  was  known, 
several  who  had  been  paying  fifty  cents,  doubled  also;  thus 
came  about  the  first  one  dollar  monthly  contribution  we  re- 
ceived. Since  that  time  others  have  joined  them  and  some 
have  doubled  more  than  once. 

It  was  our  belief,  that  twelve  meetings  should  be  held 
every  year;  few  omissions  occurred.  Once  we  disbanded  in 
prospect  of  a  violent  storm  and  all  got  safely  home.  Once 
the  janitor  forgot  us  and  once  our  room  was  taken  for  an- 
other purpose.  These  are  all  the  lapses  I  remember  during 
forty-two  years,  but  there  were  several  postponed  metings. 

About  1912  or  1913  it  was  voted  to  hold  no  meetings  in 
the  months  of  July  and  August.  Alas!  there  one  of  our 
idols  was  shattered.  Up  to  that  time  we  had  a  record  rarely 
equaled,  and  we  wanted  to  preserve  and  sustain  it.  The  year 
1874  included  but  ten  months ;  having  decided  to  begin  our 
year  in  March ;  but  in  1875  it  was  voted  to  cut  that  year  to 
eleven  months  and  hold  our  annual  meeting  in  February 
in  order  to  be  able  more  surely  to  meet  the  requirements  of 
our  Presbyterial. 

In  1879,  Mrs.  J.  Q.  Adams,  our  pastor's  wife,  organized 
a  Mission  Band,  by  request  of  this  Society,  and  it  proved 
a  delight  to  the  children  as  well  as  instructive  and  helpful, 
planting  the  seeds  of  Mission  work  in  youthful  minds.  In 
early  days  our  meetings  began  at  two  o'clock ;  thus  avoiding 
the  anxiety  we  now  see  on  the  faces  of  housekeepers,  as  the 
shadows  on  the  sunlight  begin  to  gather,  and  they  are  re- 
minded of  that  family  supper. 

On  our  tenth  anniversery,  Mrs.  Kumler,  the  organizer 
made  us  an  unexpected  visit  and  rejoiced  in  the  results  of 
our  work ;  even  after  we  had  confided  to  her  our  griefs,  that 
of  a  membership  of  forty-seven  to  sixty-five,  only  a  small 
number  felt  the  responsibility  of  keeping  our  meetings  up 
to  a  high  standard ;  seeming  to  think  that  when  they  had 
paid  their  money,  that  was  suff'icient  until  another  year 
began.  From  this  time,  1881,  we  increased  in  membership 
and  money  until  there  came  a  year  when  we  lost  by  death, 
removal  and  withdrawal,  forty-nine  members;  still  we  re- 
corded sixty  names  for  the  ensuing  year. 

No  record  was  kept  of  attendance  but  I  remember  a 
time  of  anxiety  when  six,  eight  and  ten  were  present.    The 


money  was  faithfully  collected  and  forwarded  to  Presby- 
terial  Treasurers,  since  as  an  organized  body  we  had  the 
right  to  gather  and  disburse  funds,  if  only  two  members 
came  monthly,  to  pray  for  missions  and  for  the  forgetful 
ones.  After  1890,  our  membership  was  from  several  years 
from  sixty-three  to  eighty-five.  Funds  did  not  always  de- 
pend upon  numbers.  Our  success  in  meeting  apportion- 
ments (I  remember  but  one  failure  in  forty-two  years)  is 
sufficient  evidence,  that  we  had  generous  givers,  even  in 
those  days.  May  I  speak  especially  of  one — our  beloved  and 
sainted  Mrs.  Martha  Orr  Bayard — stands  first,  with  a  brain 
for  business  and  a  heart  for  distribution,  she  watched  the 
reports  and  when  more  was  required,  than  she  thought  the 
Treasurer  v^ould  be  able  to  gather,  she  quietly  slipped  an 
envelope  to  her  saying,  "Do  not  mention  it,  use  it.'  ' 

Now  she  careth  not,  and  we  love  to  tell  it,  and  commend 
her  example  to  all  preseiit  mission  workers  whom  the  Lord 
has  blessed  with  much  worldly  goods  from  His  storehouse  of 
treasures.  I  recall  with  gladness  younger  ones  also,  who 
gave  private  contributions,  and  still  continue  to  do  so.  How 
blessed  are  they  who  believe  that  "what  they  spend  is  gone, 
what  they  keep  is  lost,  and  what  they  give  is  saved." 

Lorain  M.  Cutler. 
August  15,  1921. 

The  writer  rewrote  this  account,  read  at  the  50th  an- 
niversary of  the  Missionary  Society,  June  3,  1921,  with  her 
own  hand,  in  the  present  year,  the  91st  of  her  age. 

Additional  items  from  her  carefully  kept  record  as 
Treasurer  are  here  added. 

The  budget  was  $175.00  in  1871.  With  a  slight  increase 
each  year,  it  suddenly,  in  the  New  Era  apportionment  was 
almost  doubled,  being  increased  to  $600.00,  still  further  in- 
creased to  $1,180.00  in  1921.  In  the  early  days,  boxes  to 
the  value  of  one  to  two  hundred  dollars  were  sent  to  the 
home  missionary  in  the  far  West;  today  a  box  is  annually 
sent  to  a  colored  school  in  Kentucky. 

There  have  been  several  special  collections.  In  1881, 
the  sum  of  $700.00  was  collected  toward  50  per  cent,  fund 
Decennial  offering  of  the  Woman's  Board.  In  1889  the  as- 
sessment was  29  per  cent  for  Million  Dollar  fund  for  dis- 
abled ministers.  In  1914  the  society  raised,  in  addition  to 
regular  assessment,  $105.00  for  New  China  Fund.  The 
money  needed  has  been  raised  by  monthly  subscriptions  and 
a  thank  offering  of  over  a  hundred  dollars  collected  in  No- 
vember. The  last  two  years  the  Women's  assessment  has 
been  part  of  the  church  budget. 


There  is  a  record  of  two  legacies  to  the  Missionary  So- 
ciety, one  in  1909,  of  $200,  from  Mrs.  Martha  Bayard,  which 
was  distributed  in  yearly  subscriptions  and  the  other  of 
$100  in  1917,  from  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Gilbert. 

Officers  in  1921  are: 

President— Mrs.  Fred  Ruff. 

Secretary — Mrs.  W.  J.  Torrance. 

Treasurer — Mrs.  Harry  Little. 

Mrs.  Harry  Greek  has  been  promoted  to  the  office  of 
Presbyterial  Foreign  Treasurer.  Among  other  Presbyterial 
officers  from  Walnut  Street  in  former  years  are.  Mrs.  Lo- 
rain Cutler,  15  years,  Presbyterial  Foreign  Treasurer;  Mrs. 
Mary  Little,  Home  and  Freedman  Secretary ;  Miss  Lorain 
Cutler,  Young  People's  Secretary. 


Account  of  the  50th  Anniversary  of  the  Women's  Missionary 
Society,  June  3rd,  1921. 

An  incident  of  unusual  interest  to  the  members  of  the 
Walnut  Street  Presbyterian  church  was  the  celebration  of 
the  50th  anniversary  of  the  organization  of  the  Woman's 
Missionary  society,  which  took  place  Friday  afternoon  at 
Ballyrae,  the  summer  home  of  Mrs.  George  Clifford,  where 
a  charter  member,  Mrs.  John  W.  Foster,  of  Washington,  D. 
C,  formerly  lived. 

At  4  o'clock,  using  the  porch  as  a  stage,  the  society  and 
guests  witnessed  a  paueant  depicting  the  50  years  of  history. 
As  an  introduction,  Mrs.  Fred  Ruff  appeared  as  a  herald, 
bearing  a  lighted  oriental  lamp.  In  original  verse  she 
depicted  the  plan  of  God  for  the  ages  and  lighted  the  candles 
of  a  Jewish  candelabrum  from  which  the  candles  of  charter 
members  were  lighted  as  she  told  of  the  call  of  women  to 
service  for  others.  Miss  Lorain  Cutler,  in  a  pink  muslin 
embroidered  by  Mrs.  Eliza  Drew,  a  charter  member,  read 
her  grandmother's  reminiscence  and  called  the  roll  of  the 
original  membership. 

The  herolds  announced  the  advent  of  the  "Messengers," 
as  Esther  Kirk,  in  the  dress  of  a  child  of  long  ago,  brought 
greetings  of  the  mission  band  and  lighted  her  small  taper 
from  the  candles  of  the  women. 

One  of  that  small  band,  Mrs.  George  Clifford,  then  re- 
called the  past  and  joined  its  history  with  the  present,  her 
taper  becoming  the  electric  torch  of  today.  An  interest- 
ing greeting  from  Mrs.  Graham  Lee  came  as  a  voice  from 
the  past. 

128 


Then  the  heralds  ushered  in  the  Westminster  Circle — 
the  youngest  organization  of  the  missionary  society,  and 
as  they  joined  hands  the  circle  gleamed  with  tiny  electric 
lights  and  they  lifted  their  childish  voices  in  the  missionary 
song  of  all  ages,  "From  Greenland's  Icy  Mountains." 

"With  a  parting  word  of  inspiration  from  the  herald, 
and  a  song,  "The  Holy  City,'  'the  pageant  ended  and  the  so- 
cial hour  began  , ending  with  a  picnic  supper  by  the  Ladies' 
Aid  in  the  rose  gardens,  to  which  all  members  and  men  of 
the  congregation  were  invited. 


129 


From  right  to  left — Mrs.  Lorain  Cutler,  91 ;  Mrs.  An- 
geline  Fuhrer,  92;  Mrs.  Emily  Dalzell,  83;  taken  in  1920, 
at  an  out-door  meeting  of  the  Missionary  Society. 


130 


WOMEN'S  SEWING  SOCIETY  AND  LADIES'  AID. 

As  women  in  the  gospel  story  were  last  at  the  cross  and 
first  at  the  tomb  of  the  Christ,  and  were  gathered  in  the 
upper  room  for  ten  days  with  the  disciples  waiting  for  the 
promise  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  so  in  the  group  of  twelve  pioneer 
men  and  women,  gathered  together  by  Rev.  Banks,  the  home 
missionary  in  1821,  to  form  the  nucleus  of  a  church,  there 
were  seven  women  whose  names  deserve  to  be  mentioned,  as 
the  founders  of  Women's  work  in  Walnut  Street  Presbyter- 
ian Church : 

Abigail  Fairchild,  Julia  Ann  Harrison,  Mrs. 

Smith,  Rebecca  Wood,  Mrs.    Chandler,    Mrs.  Eli 

Sherwood  and  Mary  0.  Warner. 

In  1832,  at  the  dedication  of  the  Little  Church  on  the 
Hill,  their  number  had  doubled.  We  can  picture  them — 
busy  furnishing  the  building,  making  curtains,  molding 
candles,  covering  the  box  pulpit  with  the  green  baize  and 
cleaning  up  after  the  workmen. 

The  earliest  records  preserved  are  of  a  reorganized 
sewing  society  in  1847.  The  books  of  the  Secretary  and 
Treasurer  consist  invariably  of  a  small  blank  book,  with 
paper  cover,  spotted  and  veined  in  imitation  marble,  which, 
however,  has  stood  the  test  of  time  better  than  the  more  sub- 
stantial ones  of  leather,  used  by  Session  and  Trustee. 

The  membership  soon  increased  from  thirteen  to 
twenty-two.  The  principal  object  stated  in  the  first  book  of 
1847  was  the  "purchase  of  a  lot  on  which  to  build  a  new 
church."  That  being  deferred,  they  took  up  other  pressing 
needs.  They  contributed  one  year  $150.00  toward  the 
church  debt;  at  another  $200.00  for  repairs;  they  paid  the 
annual  taxes  and  insurance  besides  keeping  up  insurance  on 
the  Minister,  Rev.  Wm.  H.  McCarer.  They  whitewashed 
the  walls ;  they  painted  and  cleaned,  one  year  economically 
"renovated  spots"  no  doubt  caused  by  leaks  or  mold — wo- 
men's work  the  world  over.  Among  curious  items  is  one 
for  "tending  lights,"  recalling  dripping  candles  and  snuf- 
fers, while  the  purchase  of  a  chandelier  for  $25.00  reveals 
a  love  of  beauty  and  desire  for  adornment.  In  1851,  follow- 
ing the  new  fashion,  the  ambitious  women  sent  to  Cincin- 
nati for  lamps  at  an  expense  of  $11.00.  Evidently  the  light 
was  too  intense  for  eyes  accustomed  to  candles,  for  there  is 
an  item  of  $2.25  for  "green  berage  to  cover  the  lamps  in  the 
church." 

The  dues  were  twenty-five  cents  a  year,  but  the  society 

131 


relied  largely  for  the  funds  on  private  orders  for  sewing 
and  knitting  and  on  an  annual  Fair,  held  at  some  public  hall 
or  hotel,  where  the  sums  cleared  varied  from  $140.00  to 
$253.00;  a  Floral  Festival  in  May,  1853,  yielding  $147.00. 
Much  of  the  material  was  purchased  by  the  society,  the 
work  done  at  fortnightly  meetings  at  the  homes.  Here  light 
refreshments  were  served,  "limited  to  bread  and  butter,  one 
kind  of  relish  and  one  kind  of  plain  cake," 

The  minutes  state  that  "anybody  breaking  this  rule 
must  pay  a  forfeit  by  entertaining  the  society  until  she 
adopts  this  idea."  Later  one  member  was  lined  fifty  cents 
for  iciug  her  cake. 

Sales  are  reported  of  night  caps,  linen  frills,  nubias 
and  tidies,  socks  and  stockings,  worked  slippers  and  otto- 
man tops,  double  gown,  needle-book  and  emery.  In  1849 
the  items,  "little  stockings"  and  "little  mittens,"  proclaim 
the  provident  care  of  mothers  for  little  ones  in  the  home,  in 
view  of  the  approach  of  winter,  while  the  heat  of  summer 
creates  a  demand  for  "little  sunbonnets,"  at  half-price  and 
Christmas  and  birthdays  require  "dressed  dolls." 

They  had  their  troubles,  too,  at  these  Fairs — troubles 
over  broken  tumblers  and  rented  tables  lost  which  must  be 
replaced,  boys  must  be  hired  to  watch,  while  mothers  ran 
home  to  attend  to  the  wants  of  the  household  and  alas — 
counterfeit  money  must  be  deducted  from  the  receipts. 

Ice  cream  was  the  favorite  dish,  even  in  these  early 
days.  The  old-fashioned  idea  of  the  "man  as  head  of  the 
house'  appears  in  the  notice  of  the  meetings  at  the  home  of 
Mr.  Shanklin  and  Mr.  Warner. 

In  1859  the  society  was  reorganized,  primarily  for  the 
purpose  of  raising  funds  for  the  purchase  of  an  organ  for 
the  new  church.  A  Strawberry  Supper  in  this  year  brought 
$158.00  into  the  Treasury;  a  week's  Fair  in  December, 
$586.00 ;  another  in  1872,  under  Mrs.  M.  Dalzell,  $600.00. 

Undersleeves  were  now  the  fashion  and  everything 
trimmed  with  tatting  or  footing.  Several  entries  of  shirts 
indicate  the  absence  of  factories  and  orders  from  the  beaux 
o  fthe  day,  secured,  no  doubt  by  zealous  young  women,  eager 
to  prove  their  worth  as  future  wives !  The  sum  of  $750.00 
being  raised  before  it  was  needed  for  the  organ,  the  women 
were  persuaded  to  lend  it  to  the  trustees  for  the  usual  in- 
debtedness, but  some  shrewd  official  demanded  "10  per  cent 
interest  for  fifteen  months  with  the  personal  note  of  the 
Treasurer,  and  church  collections  as  collateral." 

In  1870  the  Society  was  divided  into  ten  social  com- 

132 


mittees,  giving  monthly  entertainments,  each  vying  with  the 
other  to  make  the  most  money  for  the  proposed  new  car- 
pet, the  years'  work  netting  $578.00.  In  1871  the  women 
were  most  active,  soliciting  a  Semi-Centennial  anniversary 
fund  for  the  Mission,  now  First  Avenue,  raising  over  $3,000. 
A  committee  was  appointed  in  1873,  entitled,  "Put  on  Kind- 
ness," its  aim  not  to  make  money  but  to  secure  mutual  ac- 
quaintance and  sympathy,  which  they  hoped  to  accomplish 
by  interspersing  musical  and  intellectual  exercises  with  the 
socials. 

The  Society  was  roorganized  in  1877  under  the  name 
of  the  "Ladies'  Aid  Society  of  Walnut  Street  Presbyterian 
Church,"  which  continues  active  to  this  day,  Mrs.  Lizzie 
Shanklin  being  its  Treasurer  for  twenty-eight  years.  A 
perusal  of  her  books  shows  the  really  big  things  accomplish- 
ed. In  1886  the  women  voted  and  raised  $1,000  for  church 
improvements,  besides  paying  $530.00  for  decorating  the  au- 
ditorium and  $100.00  towards  electrifying  the  chandeliers. 
At  this  time  the  sheet-iron  ceiling  was  put  in,  the  red,  blue 
and  green  glass  borders  with  emblems  of  dove,  anchor  and 
cross  were  replaced  by  plain  yellow  glass ;  the  square  walnut 
seats  by  golden  oak,  costing  $1,090.00.  In  1890,  a  smoky 
furnace  had  so  defaced  the  walls  that  it  was  necessary  to 
duplicate  the  frescoing  at  a  cost  of  $411.50 — No  wonder 
the  Society  willingly  paid  $163.00  towards  a  new  smoke 
stack. 

In  1893,  the  stained  glass  windows  were  put  in  the  front 
of  the  church  at  a  cost  of  $461.00,  the  sale  of  Mrs.  Reilly's 
book,  $102.00  defraying  part  of  the  expense. 

In  1898  they  recommended  to  the  Trustees  the  removal 
of  the  iron  fence  shown  in  early  photographs,  and  replac- 
ing of  brick  pavements  with  cement,  promising  to  pay  for 
the  same.  The  Trustees  agreed  with  alacrity.  The  removal 
of  the  iron  fence  recalls  the  dent  in  the  Second  Street  side 
of  the  fence  caused  by  a  great  storm  blowing  down  a  part 
of  the  steeple.  These  bills  paid  for,  in  1914,  the  Aid  do- 
nated $918.00  toward  other  church  improvements,  and  in 
1915  again  renovated  the  walls  and  ceiling  at  a  cost  of  $500. 
Besides  these  things,  all  the  incidentals  that  come  up  in  the 
care  of  churches.  Twice  ,$203.00  and  $114.00  for  hymn 
books,  music  for  the  choir,  parsonage  several  times  ren- 
ovated ;  linen  and  silver  in  1890,  carpets  and  cleaning,  pots 
and  pans,  dishes  and  dusters.  Count  it  all  up — those  figures 
of  forty  years  of  women's  striving  and  it  makes  a  startling 
si^m—filmostj  $18,000.    It  was  dangerous  to  show  a  surplus 

13^ 


at  the  annual  meeting  for  the  trustees  immediately  requested 
the  ladies  to  assume  some  church  liability.  One  cannot  but 
admire  the  courage  with  which  they  saw  their  hard-earned 
funds  melt  away  and  began  accumulating  again. 

These  large  sums  were  raised  by  annual  monthly  sub- 
scriptions, by  Fairs,  Suppers  and  other  entertainments. 
Most  of  the  provisions  for  the  Suppers  were  donated  and 
the  cakes  of  Walnut  Street  were  famous  the  city  over.  Peo- 
ple had  time  in  those  days  to  come  to  supper  and  spend  the 
evening  in  social  intercourse. 

From  1880-1900  many  novel  and  clever  entertainments 
were  given,  whose  programs  are  now  of  interest.  At  a 
conundrum  social  the  women  propounded  riddles  for  guests 
to  solve.  The  M  Social,  where  everything  on  the  printed 
menu  began  with  M,  reading  thus:  "Meted  out  by  minister- 
ing maidens  of  model  manners,  made  manifest  by  mons- 
trous monograms — Modern  Martha  and  Mary,  who  mind  the 
meal  and  minister  to  the  mouth  may  mention  that  they  mean 
to  make  this  memorable  medley,  meriting  meditation,  mas- 
tication, metoposcopy,  memory,  mirth  and  money." 

The  Butterfly  Social  was  a  gay  affair,  the  whole  lecture 
room  decorated  with  fluttering  tissue  paper  decorated  but- 
terflies, whose  bodies  were  clothes  pins.  These  gay-winged 
beauties  were  afterwards  sold  by  the  hundreds.  Mrs.  Al- 
fred Bixby  was  the  originator  and  creator.  At  a  Chinese 
Social,  the  menu  was  in  Chinese  hieroglyphics  and  covering 
the  wall  and  displayed  on  tables  were  the  Chinese  curios  and 
embroideries  of  Mrs.  Chas.  Denby,  Sr.,  recently  returned 
from  the  Legation  of  Peking.  In  the  garden  of  "Singing 
Flowers,"  a  large  canvas  curtain  was  painted  in  the  church 
parlors  in  August  by  Miss  Grace  Tyrrell,  the  center  of  each 
flower  cut  out  and  faces  of  living  singers  inserted.  The  pro- 
gram consisted  of  choruses,  solos  and  duets,  many  of  them 
popular  songs  of  the  day.  It  was  given  in  Evans  Hall  in 
the  summer  of  1886,  clearing  $275.00  The  one  longest  to 
be  remembered  as  a  source  of  amusement  was  the  "District 
Schule,"  where  the  participants  consisted  of  the  older  peo- 
ple of  the  church  in  girlish  costume  of  pantelette  and  frill, 
or  silk  hat  and  frock  coats.  Mr.  George  Cunningham  as 
Schoolmaster,  was  inimitable.  The  audience  laughed  till  they 
cried,  though  some  of  the  older  people  went  home  very  much 
shocked.  These  suppers  were  served  in  the  parlors,  leav- 
ing the  lecture  room  for  program  and  sociability,  and  Wal- 
nut Street  in  those  days  was  a  real  community  center. 

Two  time-honored    institutions  have   been   banished ; 

134 


the  window  stick  with  crotched  end  for  pulling  down  the 
upper  window  sash  and  the  human  organ  blowers.  The 
sight  of  old  Dr.  Johnson  swaying  down  the  aisle  at  a  call 
for  fresh  air  with  the  long  stick  unconsciously  hit- 
ting a  bald  head  on  one  side  and  dislodging  a  woman's  bon- 
net on  the  other  side  of  the  aisle,  amused  many  a  small  child 
in  the  family  pew.  A  rope  and  pulley  made  ventilating  easy. 
The  vagaries  of  various  organ  blowers  were  many.  Regular- 
ly "Crazy  Al"  went  to  sleep  during  the  sermon  and  had  to 
be  awakened  by  one  of  the  bases  at  the  lack  of  response  in 
the  organ.  An  electric  motor  installed  was  a  joy,  except 
when  some  practical  joker  turned  off  the  switch  in  the  room 
below,  as  happened  lately. 

The  latest  form  of  activity  of  the  Aid  Society,  inaugur- 
ated as  a  part  of  the  New  Era  Movement,  is  the  monthly 
twenty-five  cent  supper,  where  125  are  served  at  once,  often 
cafeteria  fashion,  on  trestle  tables  with  paper  cloth  and  nap- 
kins. The  good  supper,  not  by  any  means  light  refreshments 
and  calculation  of  expense  to  fit  the  receipts,  show  skillful 
management  of  the  heads  of  committees.  After  the  supper 
a  devotional  service  is  held  by  the  Pastor,  with  reports  of 
New  Era  neighborhood  captains  or  other  business.  As  one 
looks  back  into  the  past,  the  heads  of  committees,  bustling 
efficient  Marthas  pass  in  review,  "doing  with  their  might 
what  their  hands  find  to  do."  Mesdames  Bayard,  Decker, 
Keen,  J.  L.  Orr,  W.  H.  Cutler,  Etha  Gilchrist,  McLean,  Han- 
kins,  McCoy,  Annie  Sullivan,  Gilbert,  Dalzell,  Clem  Sullivan, 
Weever,  Babcock.  S.  W.  Little,  French,  Storms,  Cunning- 
ham, Wedding,  Garvin,  Sheridan,  Crawford,  Rutherford, 
Norton,  Howe,  Kirk,  Sheets,  Archer,  Wemyss,  Faul  and 
Russell. 

Last,  but  not  least,  like  Dorcas  of  old,  can  be  shown 
the  garments  for  the  poor  and  destitute  which  the  women 
have  made.  First  a  community  industrial  school,  where 
poor  children  were  taught  to  sew,  was  organized  and  man- 
aged by  Mrs.  Samuel  Bayard  and  had  many  of  the  Aid  as 
faithful  teachers.  When  Parke  Memorial  was  established 
as  a  Mission  of  Walnut  Street,  a  sewing  school  was  held 
every  Saturday  morning  under  the  leadership  of  Mrs.  Philip 
Decker  and  Mrs.  W.  E.  French,  with  members  of  this  so- 
ciety as  teachers,  and  was  carried  on  for  years.  When  this 
was  no  longer  needed,  a  similar  school  was  conducted  in  the 
Kindergarten  room  of  Centennial  school  by  Mrs.  W.  H.  Cut- 
ler and  Mrs.  Etha  Gilchrist  for  the  children  of  the  cotton 
mill  mission.    It  was  truly  a  labor  of  love  and  entailed  much 

135 


self-sacrifice.  During  the  world  war,  making  of  refugee 
garments  and  hospital  supplies  was  the  patriotic  service 
of  the  Ladies  'Aid,  and  last  winter  garments  were  made  and 
mended  for  children  of  a  local  charity,  the  Christian  Home. 

Of  the  women  of  Walnut  Street  as  of  old  may  be  said, 
"Give  her  of  the  fruit  of  her  hands  and  let  her  own  works 
praise  her  in  the  gates." 


WOMAN'S  GUILD. 

The  youngest  organization  of  this  century-old  church 
is  a  W^oman's  Guild. 

For  a  long  time  Walnut  Street  Church  has  felt  the  need 
of  a  society  where  the  new  and  younger  members  of  the 
congregation  might  meet  and  get  acciuainted  with  each  other 
and  the  older  members;  where  the  problems  of  the  church 
and  of  the  community  might  be  discussed  and  where  a  study 
of  the  Bible  might  stimulate  and  contribute  to  the  devo- 
tional life  of  the  church. 

Realizing  this  need,  more  than  forty  women  met  No- 
vember 4  ,1921.  and  made  tentative  plans  for  a  social,  study 
and  service  guild. 

This  young  and  untried -organization  asks  the  good-will, 
the  advice,  the  encouragemeiit"(5f^'the  old  church,  so  rich  in 
interesting  history,  in  illuminating  experiences,  and  in 
splendid  achievement. 

Daisy  Flower  Veatch. 


SABBATH  SCHOOL. 

To  Miss  Philura  French,  afterwards  Mrs.  John  Shank- 
lin,  who  had  come  to  the  backwoods  to  make  her  home  with 
her  sister,  Mrs.  Calvin  Butler,  belongs  the  honor  of  first 
gathering  the  children  together  in  a  Sabbath  School.  Mrs. 
Reilly  says  the  older  people  shook  their  heads  at  this  "in- 
novation upon  the  established  custom  of  Sabbath  observ- 
ance." It  must  have  been  a  great  relief  to  those  pioneer 
boys  and  girls,  accustomed  to  long  church  services,  with  un- 

136 


intelligible  doctrinal  sermons.  Tradition  still  preserves  for 
us  the  picture  of  the  watchful  elder,  armed  with  a  long  stick, 
warranted  to  reach  to  all  parts  of  the  small  room  and  tap 
upon  the  head  any  restless  or  mischievous  boy  or  girl.  The 
text  books  of  that  first  school  were  the  Scriptures  and  West- 
minister Catechism.  Among  the  Superintendents  in  the 
early  years  were  intellectual  men  and  organizers  of  a  high 
order:  Mr.  Conrad  Baker,  late  Governor  of  Indiana,  Mr. 
John  W.  Foster,  afterwards  Secretary  of  State  under  Pres- 
ident Harrison,  Mr.  Myron  K.  Safford,  Head  Master  of  a 
Classical  School  for  boys  and  girls  and  Mr.  Alexander  Gow, 
Supt.  of  the  Public  Schools  of  Evansville — all  men  of  deep 
piety,  elders  in  the  church,  impressed  with  the  need  of  bring- 
ing up  the  children  "in  the  fear  and  admonition  of  the 
Lord." 

It  was  the  custom  to  celebrate  the  anniversary  of  the 
Sunday  School  the  first  Sabbath  in  February,  with  appro- 
priate exercises,  songs  from  the  Golden  Censer,  recitations 
and  address  by  the  pastor.  A  printed  program  of  such  an 
occasion,  February  7,  1869,  preserved  in  a  scrapbook,  gives 
the  names  of  scholars  earning  premiums — a  Bible  or  a  good 
book,  for  perfect  attendance  and  perfect  lesson  recitation  for 
a  year.  Of  seven  named,  Miss  Mary  Davidson  is  the  only 
survivor,  but  "Willie  Cutler"  and  "Robbie  Shanklin"  were 
awarded  a  "suitable  premium,"  a  Bible  still  preserved,  for 
only  missing  one  Sabbath  on  account  of  illness.  I  am  won- 
dering who  earned  the  premium,  the  boys  or  their  conscien- 
tious mothers.  In  1870,  Nellie  Goodge  and  Daniel  Kress 
were  awarded  a  gold  dollar  each  for  bring  in  the  most  new 
scholars,  the  conditions  imposed  requiring  more  than  ten. 
The  Sabbath  School  of  that  day  held  a  quarterly  Mission- 
ary meeting  Sabbath  afternoons  with  appropriate  address 
and  collections  of  from  $30.00  to  $60.00  reported  by  classes. 
Each  class  had  a  Missionary  title  and  reported  with  scrip- 
ture recitation — some  of  the  titles  quite  original :  "Regulars, 
Lilies  of  the  Valley,  Dew  Drops,  Eureka,  Small  Rain,  Buds 
of  Promise,"  the  Infant  Class,  "Little  Lambs."  There  were 
twenty-five  teachers,  140  scholars  in  Testament  Class,  90 

137 


in  Infant  Class,  35  in  Bible  Classes,  making  a  total  of  290. 
T.  W.  Turner  was  Superintendent,  James  L.  Orr,  Secretary 
and  Treasurer,  James  H.  Cutler,  Librarian  and  C.  K.  Drew, 
Chorister. 

Advocates  of  graded  instruction  in  the  Sabbath  School 
may  be  interested  in  our  experiment  in  Walnut  Street  in 
1869,  outlined  in  the  minutes  of  the  Secretary.  For  months, 
reorganization  was  the  leading  subject  of  discussion  in  the 
weekly  teachers'  meeting.  It  was  finally  decided  to  try  a 
plan,  urged  by  one  of  the  teachers,  Mr.  Alexander  Gow, 
Supt.  of  Public  Schools,  for  graded  classes  with  special 
helps  prepared  by  Rev.  Chas.  D.  Knox.  All  honor  to  these 
men  of  vision  and  high  ideals  far  ahead  of  their  times! 
There  were  six  grades  in  the  school ;  boys  and  girls  together. 
Infant  Class,  Primary,  Second  Year,  Third  Year,  Second 
Bible  Class,  First  Bible  Class.  The  Testament  Classes  were 
divided  into  six  classes  each,  with  two  teachers,  one  to  give 
instruction  and  the  other  to  take  charge  of  books,  paper 
work  and  collections.  There  were  weekly  teachers'  meetings 
with  instruction  by  experts  and  quarterly  examinations  of 
pupils  in  the  presence  of  parents  and  friends. 

A  personal  visitation  of  parents  was  required  to  secure 
punctuality,  regularity  and  home  preparation  of  the  lesson. 
The  teachers  agreed  to  give  the  experiment  a  fair  trial  of 
six  months.  Alas!  the  plan  was  too  revolutionary.  The 
scholars  even  resorted  to  modern  strike  methods  and  left 
the  school  rather  than  submit  to  the  arbitrary  separation 
from  friends,  made  necessary  by  the  new  grading.  After 
a  year  of  growing  opposition  and  rebellion,  the  teachers 
voted  to  adopt  the  Uniform  Lessons,  the  same  from  the  In- 
fant Class  to  the  Bible  Class.  It  was  over  thirty  years  be- 
fore another  trial  of  graded  instruction  was  made,  this  time 
about  1904,  the  young  woman  of  progressive  ideals — Miss 
Emma  Decker,  Elementary  Superintendent  of  that  day. 
Miss  Decker  had  graded  the  pupils  into  departments  accord- 
ing to  age  before  the  present  graded  system  of  lessons  was 
issued  and  adopted  the  helps  for  each  department  as  issued. 
She  had  received  her  inspiration  from  a  visit  to  Winona. 

About  1904,  boys  and  girls  from  nine  to  twelve  years 
were  organized  into  a  Junior  Department,  the  first  class  of 
ten  being  graduated  in  1906.  A  course  for  Beginners  was  in- 
troduced in  1905,  the  Primary  several  years  later.  Mrs. 
George  Cliff'ord  became  the  first  Junior  Superintendent  in 
1907  and  continued  until  1919.  Other  departments  have 
quietly  and  naturally  been  added  until  today  the  whole  school 

138 


is  graded  according  to  modern  standards  from  Cradle  Roll 
to  Adult  organized  Bible  Classes,  the  latest  a  Men's  Bible 
Class  under  the  leadership  of  Mr.  Boaz  Crawford. 

The  Cradle  Roll  under  Superintendency  of  Mrs.  John 
S.  Hopkins,  enrolls  babies  at  birth,  remembering  each  year 
with  birthday  postal  cards  and  urging  the  bringing  to  Sun- 
day School  at  four  or  five  years. 

The  Beginners'  Department,  with  sand  table,  paste- 
board men  and  animals,  illustrates  the  telling  of  the  Old 
Testament  Stories.  In  the  Primary,  Miss  Blanche  Jung,  a 
trained  Kindergartner,  has  for  many  years  emphasized  the 
Bible  stories  with  handwork  of  crayon  and  pasting  and 
memory  work  of  psalm  and  verse.  At  nine,  pupils  are  grad- 
uated to  the  Junior  Department,  where  a  course  of  four 
years  of  consecutive  Bible  history,  of  hero  tales  and  mission- 
ary biography  is  studied  week  by  week.  Home  work  in  spe- 
cial books  of  prepared  question  and  answer,  story  telling, 
and  outline  work,  is  required,  as  well  as  memory  work  of 
scripture  and  hymns. 

In  the  Intermediate  grade,  biography  and  the  revised 
catechism  require  three  years  with  promotion  to  Senior 
grade  at  the  end.  Senior  boys  and  girls  study  the  Bible 
book  by  book  and  relate  teaching  to  life.  Adult  classes  con- 
tinue advanced  study  and  are  organized  with  officers  and 
committees  for  increase  in  numbers  and  usefulness  in  church 
and  community  service.  Diplomas  are  awarded  on  Rally 
Day  with  appropriate  exercises.  The  picture  card  with 
scripture  text,  once  offered  as  reward  of  merit,  has  given 
place  to  buttons  and  pins.  Contests  to  increase  attendance 
and  punctuality  have  been  urged.  Three  boys  in  recent 
years  achieved  the  remarkable  record  of  five  years  perfect 
a^-tendance — Ralph  Dannettell,  Arthur  Moss  and  Fred 
Mann,  the  latter  proudly  displaying  his  coat  lapel  covered 
with  gold  and  silver  stars,  the  premium  of  his  day. 

Various  schemes  have  been  used.  On  a  cardboard  ther- 
mometer, a  simulated  mercury  rose  from  freezing  to  boiling 
as  stimulated  pupils  brought  in  new  members.  The  hands 
of  a  paper  clock  moved  slowly  forward  as  members  in- 
creased. Last  year  an  aeroplane  race  of  rival  captains  and 
crews  stirred  lagging  enthusiasm  for  punctuality  and  re- 
ularity,  so  necessary  to  efficient  work. 

Walnut  Street  has  never  been  a  large  school.  From 
1890-93,  the  number  is  given  as  over  600,  including  Parke 
Memorial,  recalling  the  fact  that  children  of  Germa>i 
churches  were  attracted  to  Walnut  Street  by  teaching  in 
English.    In  1895  the  number  fell  to  375  and  has  for  years 


been  less  than  200.  The  small  classes,  however,  afford  op- 
portunity for  individual  recitation  and  training  for  leader- 
ship. In  modern  times  the  universal  anniversaries  of  Christ- 
mas, Rally  Day  in  October  and  Children's  Day  in  June  are 
yearly  observed  with  excellent  programs,  varying  from  sim- 
ple recitations  to  cantatas,  tableaux  and  elaborate  pageants. 

For  some  years  an  orchestra  was  a  help  to  the  singing 
of  the  gospel  hymns,  but  today  Mr.  L.  E.  Karcher  alone 
leads  with  his  cornet,  having  served  almost  without  ab- 
sence since  1909.  To  facilitate  teaching  and  secure  at- 
tention, tables  were  installed  for  separate  classes  in  the  lec- 
ture room,  beaver-board  screens  being  added  in  1920  to  pro- 
vide desired  privacy.  They  help  deprive  the  teen  age  boys' 
class  of  his  admiring  or  disapproving  audience,  although 
books  and  papers  occasionally  still  fly  over  the  top,  replacing 
the  paper-wad  which  used  to  adorn  the  ceiling. 

The  most  recent  innovation  is  the  social  program  with 
athletic  activities.  Walnut  Street  has  for  years  had  its  an- 
nual picnic  in  June,  by  boat  or  traction  to  some  neighboring 
grove,  where  baskets  laden  with  food  were  set  forth  on  a 
common  table  and  games  and  contests  occupied  the  after- 
noon. 

With  emphasis  in  schools  and  colleges  on  athletic 
games,  the  Bible  School  has  caught  the  contagion  and  no  up- 
to-date  school  is  without  its  basketball  or  baseball  team  en- 
rolled in  the  Sabbath  School  League  of  Y.  M.  C.  A.  or  Y.  W. 
C.  A.,  under  the  training  of  their  athletic  directors.  The 
older  boys  organized  in  1916,  the  girls  following  in  1917, 
when  by  brilliant  team  work  they  won  the  pennant,  now 
lianging  on  our  walls.  The  winning  team  consisted  of:  Vir- 
ginia Karcher,  Doris  Kirk,  Anna  Louise  Thurgood,  Kather- 
ine  Welman,  Agnes  McConnell ;  Substitutes :  Iva  Spitz,  Elsie 
Newcomb.  In  1920  tennis  and  volley  ball  courts  were  pre- 
pared by  volunteer  labor  on  vacant  lots  on  Chandler  Avenue 
and  dedicated  to  the  use  of  boys  and  girls  of  the  Sabbath 
School.  In  the  same  winter,  to  save  the  furniture  from  de- 
struction at  the  hands  of  exuberant  Boy  Scouts  and  furnish 
amusement  for  young  people  after  their  business  meetings, 
the  windows  of  the  lecture  room  were  screened  and  volley 
ball  installed. 

Thus,  through  the  years,  the  Sabbath  School  has  added 
to  her  nurture  of  the  soul,  the  upbuilding  of  the  body  and 
the  cultivation  of  the  mind,  not  forgetting,  however,  her 
paramount  object,  through  the  teaching  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, to  lead  the  boys  and  girls,  by  precept  and  example, 
into  membership  in  the  visible  church,  by  faith  in  the  Lord 

140 


Jesus  Christ.  It  has  not  been  unusual  in  late  years  for  whole 
classes  leaving-  the  Junior  Department  to  come  together  into 
church  membership.  As  we  go  into  the  future  shall  not  our 
aim  be  the  same  as  our  forefathers  of  1858?  "Feeling  the 
want  of  greater  depth  and  spirituality  in  the  Sabbath 
School,  we  look  beyond  methods  to  results,  placing  more  de- 
pendence on  the  Holy  Spirit  and  less  on  machinery.  The 
measure  of  our  success  will  be  in  proportion,  as  we  are  able 
to  aid  in  leading  the  children  to  Jesus." 

Among  the  officers  of  the  past  sixty  years  are:  Mr. 
Charles  S.  Wells,  Superintendent  during  the  Civil  War,  dy- 
ing in  office  much  lamented;  Mr.  W.  T.  Turner  and  Mr. 
John  W.  Foster,  his  successors.  Mr.  James  L.  Orr,  after 
serving  some  years  as  Secretary,  was  elected  Superintendent 
about  1870  and  was  active  until  1900,  when  Mr.  Walter  L. 
Sullivan  succeeded  him,  serving  15  years.  Mr.  S,  N.  Ruth- 
erford and  Mr.  G.  H.  Artlip  preceded  the  present  Superin- 
tendent, Mr.  Paul  Schmidt.  Among  the  Secretaries  in  the 
last  thirty  years  have  been  Mr.  H.  E.  Read,  Jr.,  Mr.  George 
A  .Cunningham,  Mr.  Colin  B.  Gilchrist,  Mr.  North  Storms 
and  Mr.  Charles  Clarke,  who  has  served  since  1903. 


OFFICERS  FOR  1921. 

Superintendent — Mr.  Paul  H.  Schmidt. 
Asst.  Superintendent — Mr.  Walter  Keeney. 
Substitute  Superintendent — Mr.  Walter  L.  Sullivan. 
Secretary  and  Treasurer — Mr.  Charles  Clarke. 
Pianist — Miss  Florence  Dannettell. 
Asst.  Pianist — Miss  Virginia  Tourtelotte. 
Cornetist — Mr.  L.  E.  Karcher. 
Chorister — Miss  Christine  Groh. 
Social  Secretary — Mrs.  Paul  H.  Schmidt. 
Elementary  Superintendent — Mrs.  Geo.  S.  Clifford. 
Primary  Superintendent — Miss  Blanche  Jung. 
Junior  Superintendent — Mrs.  H.  C.  Ruddick. 
Intermediate  Superintendent — Mrs.  W.  J.  Torrance. 

141 


CHAPTER  VI. 


Y.  P.  S.  C.  E. 

(Contributed  by  Mrs.  Frank  Fowler,  of  Chicago,  formerly 
Miss  Susan  Goodge). 

The  first  Society  organized  was  a  "Young  People's 
Prayer  Meeting,"  as  best  I  can  recall,  about  1882,  under 
the  Pastorate  of  Rev.  Seward  M.  Dodge.  In  1886,  a  Y.  P. 
S.  C.  E.  was  organized,  with  a  pledge  that  was  in  keeping 
with  what  a  true  Christian  should  be.  This  was  in  the  early 
days  of  Christian  Endeavor,  the  National  Society  being  or- 
ganized about  1881.  Our  membership  was  then  about  35,  1 
think.  The  Society  was  divided  into  several  committees: 
Prayer  meeting,  Literature,  Social,  Music,  Missionary.  Each 
committee  did  splendid  work  and  always  had  interesting- 
reports  at  a  business  meeting  held  once  a  month. 

The  Society  grew  in  numbers  and  strength,  until  it 
reached  a  membership  of  about  85  or  more.  Our  advisory 
board,  as  far  as  I  can  remember,  was  Mr.  J.  L.  Orr,  Mr. 
John  N.  McCoy  and  Dr.  Newell,  and  always  the  pastor.  We 
received  much  encouragement  and  help  from  all  older  church 
members.  Our  first  work  outside  of  our  own  church  was  to 
furnish  S.  S.  teachers  for  a  Mission  which  later  became 
Parke  Memorial  Church,  eight  or  ten  members  going  every 
Sunday  afternoon.  It  was  started  in  an  old  saloon  building 
at  Elsas  and  Virginia  Streets.  Thanksgiving  and  Christ- 
mas season  found  us  always  doing  our  share  of  cheer  and 
comfort  to  unfortunate  ones. 

A  Junior  C.  E.  was  organized  and  carried  on  for  a  few 
years  by  Mrs.  T.  H.  Taylor,  later  was  cared  for  by  one  of  the 
C.  E.  members.  This  was  a  splendid  society  of  about  35 
members,  some  of  whom  now  are  working  in  this  and  other 
churches.  Our  meetings  always  seemed  filled  with  a  true 
religious  feeling  and  I  am  sure  those  of  us  who  had  our  early 
training  in  the  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  could  never  drift  so  far  away, 
that  its  memory  would  not  follow  us  and  keep  us  nearer  our 
Master. 

You  will  remember  Blanche  Lee  and  Mr.  Lee  and  Rev. 
August  Sonne,  our  members  of  whom  we  are  all  so  proud. 
If  I  can  remember  rightly,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lee  went  on  their 
mission  to  Korea  under  Dr.  O.  A.  Smith's  pastorate,  and 
Rev.  Sonne  started  his  studies  then  and  completed  them  in 

142 


Rev.  S.  N.  Wilson's  time.  Our  Missionary  money  was  given 
under  a  plan,  "2  cents  a  week  and  a  prayer"  per  member, 
and  was  for  home  and  foreign  work,  sent  through  the  Wo- 
man's Board.  About  1897,  six  girls  from  the  Society  took 
the  responsibility  of  conducting  a  S.  S.  in  the  old  Cotton 
Mill  Block  in  the  West  End  of  the  city,  taking  over  the  work 
from  a  crippled  girl,  when  ill  health  forced  her  to  give  it  up. 
This  work  as  a  S.  S.  was  conducted  by  this  Society  for  over 
three  years,  under  the  leadership  of  the  Misses  Walters,  and 
later  on  by  two  or  three  and  outside  help,  and  then  given 
over  to  a  King's  Daughters  'Circle  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church.  The  work  there  was  certainly  a  wonder- 
ful blessing  to  us  who  took  part  and  required  much  work, 
along  charity  lines,  as  well  as  religious  work.  In  the  last 
few  years  of  our  existence,  Mr.  Rutherford  was  one  of  our 
loyal  supporters. 

Delegates  were  sent  to  State  and  International  meet- 
ings, which  were  the  largest  bodies  of  gatherings  of  a  re- 
ligious nature  ever  assembled  and  were  a  source  of  wonder- 
ful influence  on  all  attending.  A  State  Convention  was  held 
in  Grace  Church  in  1890,  with  national  off'icers  as  speakers. 
The  social  feature  of  our  Society  was  always  most  enjoyable 
and  the  memory  still  lingers  with  us. 

We  assisted  in  many  ways  with  the  work  of  the  church 
under  the  direction  of  the  pastor,  whoever  he  might  be. 

The  Society  disbanded  twenty  years  ago  next  spring 
and  it  was  a  sad  day  for  many,  who  had  held  so  dear  the 
work  of  the  Society  in  former  years.  Of  the  members  in 
early  days  still  active  in  the  church  I  recall  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Herman  Pfafflin,  Mr.  Herbert  Baird,  Mrs.  M.  A.  Sheridan, 
Mrs.  W.  J.  Torrance,  Mrs.  George  S.  Clifford  and  Miss  Hen- 
rietta Davidson. 

LATER  HISTORY  OF  C.  E.  SOCIETY. 

During  Rev.  Chas.  Nickerson's  pastorate  the  Christian 
Endeavor  had  so  decreased  in  numbers  and  interest  that  it 
was  disbanded  and  a  young  people's  discussion  class  substi- 
tuted. 

It  was  revived  again  in  Rev.  John  Kennedy's  pastorate 
with  a  membership  of  28.  After  a  few  years,  through  lack 
of  support  it  was  again  disbanded,  to  be  restored  in  1920  by 
the  present  pastor  with  57  members.  Officers,  Miss  Dorothy 
Archer,  President;  Doris  Kirk,  Secretary;  Katherine  Wel- 
man.  Treasurer,  all  girls  trained  previously  in  Sabbath 
School  and  Emily  Orr  Circle. 

143 


The  present  officers,  elected  in  1921  are:  Clyde  Smith, 
President;  Dorothy  Miller,  Secretary;  Elsie  Newcomb, 
Treasurer. 


MESSENGERS. 

In  1879  the  wife  of  the  minister,  Mrs.  J.  Q.  Adams, 
gathered  the  boys  and  girls  of  the  church  into  a  Mission 
Band,  called  the  Messengers.  Memories  of  knitted  wash 
cloths  and  fancy  work  bazaars  mingle  with  the  magic  words 
— Gaboon,  Africa  and  Oroomiah,  Persia,  whei-e,  for  the  six- 
teen years  of  its  existence,  the  money  raised  by  monthly 
dues  and  laborious  needle-pricks  supported  students  in 
Christian  schools.  The  Treasurer's  books  in  1884  show  a 
membership  of  43  receipts  from  the  annual  bazaar  of 
$82.00,  and  a  budget  of  $150.  Its  first  Treasurer,  Emily 
Orr,  became  herself  the  leader  of  succeeding  Bands.  One 
of  the  members,  Loraine  Cutler,  is  leader  of  the  Circle  to- 
day. One  of  the  officers,  Blanche  Webb,  as  the  wife  of  Rev. 
Graham  Lee,  spent  many  years  as  a  Missionary  in  Pyang 
Yang,  Korea,  in  the  early  years  of  that  station.  She  writes 
from  her  present  home  in  Gilroy,  California,  where  she  set- 
tled with  her  children  after  Mr.  Lee's  untimely  death. 

"It  has  been  a  glorious  privilege  to  have  been  a  mis- 
sionary in  Korea,  and  I  doubt  not  but  what  those  "Messen- 
ger days"  were  instrumental  in  making  it  easier  for  me  to 
see  the  need,  when  opportunity  came.' 

In  1905  the  Band  was  merged  with  the  Junior  Y.  P.  S. 
C.  E. 

In  1890  a  Young  Ladies'  Society  was  organized  with 
18  members  and  Miss  Blanche  Webb  as  President. 


S.  F.  0.  CLUB 
(Sunshine  for  Others) 

One  Saturday  ofternoon  in  September,  1906,  the  mem- 
bers of  Miss  Kaloolah  Howe's  class  met  at  the  home  of  their 
teacher  and  organized  the  S.  F.  0.  Club,  with  officers,  regu- 
lar monthly  meetings  and  a  definite  object  in  mind.  It  was 
at  this  time  the  only  organized  body  of  girls  in  the  church. 

The  original  members  of  the  club  were :  Miriam  Archer. 
Eloise  Copeland,  Lillian  Ellerbusch,  Helen  Straub,  Grace 
Stratton,  Mary  Keeney,  Otilla  Weintz,  Eula  Rose  Karcher, 
Mary  Smith,  Florence  Kiechle,  Mary  Owen,  Hazel  Baker 
and  their  teacher,  who  acted  as  advisor  to  the  girls  and 
personally  chaperoned  them  in  all  their  activities. 

144 


Throughout  the  life  of  the  club  an  active  interest  was 
taken  in  the  Mission  Sunday  School  in  the  Cotton  Mill 
Block.  The  class  frequently  visiting  in  a  body  and  individual 
members  often  helping  the  superintendent,  Miss  Amelia 
Walters,  by  teaching  or  with  the  music. 

The  first  effort  of  the  club  was  the  buying  of  twenty- 
five  bibles  which  were  much  needed  at  the  mission.  They 
raised  the  funds  for  this  by  giving  a  little  Bazaar.  The 
first  Thanksgiving,  baskets  were  taken  by  members  to  the 
homes  of  needy  families.  This  became  a  regular  custom 
with  the  club.  In  connection  with  the  Associated  Charities, 
clothing  and  new  towels  and  other  garments  were  sent  to 
the  poor.  On  Easter  the  girls  went  to  the  hospitals  and 
gave  flowers  to  those  in  the  wards.  Whenever  an  oppor- 
tunity presented  the  girls  endeavored  to  live  up  to  the  name 
of  the  club  by  scattering  sunshine  along  the  way. 

The  thing  of  which  they  were  very  proud  and  thank- 
ful was  the  giving  of  an  organ  to  the  Mission  School.  In 
various  small  ways  the  funds  for  this  were  gathered  and 
to  make  up  the  considerable  deficit  a  Social  and  Bazaar  was 
given  and  this  was  found  to  have  brought  in  suff'icient  to 
complete  the  sum  required.  The  class  were  very  happy 
to  take  part  in  the  program  on  the  day  that  saw  the  organ 
in  place. 

The  club  was  active  for  five  full  years  and  only  dis- 
banded when  it  came  time  for  a  number  of  the  girls  to  go 
away  to  college  while  those  who  remained  moved  into  places 
of  responsibility,  all  of  them  becoming  teachers  in  the  S.  S. 


ABREK  CLUB 


In  the  early  spring  of  1913  the  Abrek  (ready  to 
serve)  Club  of  Walnut  St.,  S.  S.,  was  organized.  The 
thought  that  led  to  the  club's  organization  was  the  desire 
to  bring  together  the  girls  of  about  the  same  age  in  sev- 
eral of  the  classes  that  they  might  learn  together  how  to 
put  into  practice  some  of  the  teachings  they  had  been  re- 
ceiving in  the  S.  S.,  and  together  serve  their  own  church, 
their  community,  to  become  helpful  wherever  and  when- 
ever a  chance  was  given  them  and  to  study  both  home  and 
foreign  mission  work. 

Mrs.  George  Clifford,  Mrs.  Elgin  Archer,  Mrs.  Robt. 
Smith  and  Mrs.  Sheridan  were  the  Advisory  Board  of  the 
club.     Miss  Kaloolah  Howe  was  asked  to  act  as  patroness 


of  the  organization.     Miss  Howe  continued  with  the  ckib 
for  the  first  three  years  of  it's  life. 

The  first  meeting  was  held  at  the  home  of  Miss  Howe 
on  Saturday  ofternoon,  March  1913  with  twelve  present 
who  became  members  of  the  club. 

The  members  were.  Dorothy  Archer,  Martha  Keen- 
ey,  Edna  Rutherford,  Susette  Dunlevy,  Virginia  Karcher, 
Ethel  Jones,  Elizabeth  Doerr,  Nellie  Spillman,  Agnes  Mc- 
Connell,  Dorothy  Miller,  Helen  Sheridan  and  Anna  Thur- 
good. 

The  first  off'icers  were:  President,  Edna  Rutherford, 
Secretary,  Dorothy  Archer,  Treasurer,  Mary  Crawford. 

The  meetings  were  held  monthly  at  which  a  business 
session  followed  by  a  devotional  and  general  discussion  was 
concluded  with  a  social  hour. 

In  the  beginning  Camp  Fire  Work  w^as  a  part  of  the 
obligation  of  each  and  every  member — and  as  in  Camp  Fire 
work  beads  were  awarded  for  the  honors  earned — several  of 
the  girls  still  have  the  little  strands  of  beads  earned  in  the 
early  months  of  the  club's  life. 

During  the  first  year  several  packages  were  sent  to 
Miss  Edith  Dickey  in  Ningpo,  China  to  use  in  her  work 
there  in  the  hospitals.  At  Thanksgiving  several  baskets 
were  sent  out  to  the  poor.  This  became  a  regular  custom 
and  continued  as  long  as  the  club  existed. 

The  second  year  a  number  of  boxes  were  sent  to  the 
Presbyterian  Mission  School  at  Brevere,  N.  C.  These  boxes 
contained  gifts  for  the  boys  and  girls  of  the  school,  books, 
magazines;  and  new  materials  for  the  sewing  classes.  We 
also  began  to  work  in  connection  with  the  district  nurse, 
who  let  us  know  from  time  to  time  what  was  most  needed 
by  the  poor  on  whom  she  was  calling. 

Funds  were  raised  by  giving  little  social  afi'airs  and 
it  was  the  joy  of  the  members  to  spend  it  for  the  helping 
of  those  in  need. 

The  third  year  the  work  was  continued  much  along  the 
lines  of  the  second.  The  girls  were  coming  to  know  how 
to  conduct  a  really  interesting  program  and  to  take  the  in- 
itiative in  planning  activities  for  themselves.  Miss  Howe, 
for  business  reasons  was  obliged  to  resign  from  the  work 
and  Mrs.  M.  A.  Sheridan  was  appointed  by  the  Advisory 
Board  to  take  her  place. 

1J6 


In  1915  the  Club  was  reorganized  into  a  Westminster 
Circle  to  conform  to  the  Presbyterian  plan  and  continued 
for  five  years  the  same  work  of  sewing  for  the  District 
nurse,  filling  and  distributing  Thanksgiving  baskets,  and 
Christmas  gifts  for  the  poor,  besides  subscribing  for  the 
required  Guild  bonds  for  missions.  In  1920  on  the  organiza- 
tion of  a  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  it  seemed  best  to  disband  the  Guild 
(into  which  the  Circle  had  been  merged  at  the  required  age, 
18  years)  and  these  girls  so  ably  trained  for  service  by  Mrs. 
Sheridan  became  the  leaders  of  the  new  movement. 

Kaloolah  Howe. 


EMILY  ORR  CIRCLE 

BORN  April  1st,  1916— the  Emily  Orr  Circle— the 
child  of  the  Woman's  Missionary  Society  of  Walnut  Street 
Church. 

Died  in  the  spring  of  1820,  an  untimely  death — this 
promising  organization — at  the  age  of  four  years. 

During  the  first  years  of  its  existence  it  was  sturdy, 
steady,  strong.  Surprise  boxes  were  made  for  the  children 
at  the  hospitals;  plain  sewing  was  done  for  the  district 
nurse;  a  child  that  needed  garments  to  wear  to  Sunday 
School,  was  clothed;  it  helped  make  the  first  200  soldier 
kits  for  the  first  Evansville  boys  that  entered  the  service 
of  the  World  War ;  also  for  one  year,  supported  one  of  the 
Fatherless  children  of  France. 

The  Patroness  of  this  organization  endeavored  to 
teach  the  members  to  conduct  a  meeting  in  a  business  like 
way,  to  think  while  standing,  to  realize  the  need  and  the 
worth  of  early  consecrated  devotion  to  the  service  of  Christ, 
to  be  mindful  of  the  rights  of  others  in  whatever  station 
in  life,  to  impart  easily  to  the  hearer  the  knowledge  gained 
from  careful  consideration  of  the  Mision  Study  Books. 

During  the  four  years  of  its  existence,  the  Circle  read 
three  books — "The  Makers  of  South  America",  "The  King's 
Highway,"  and  "Comrades  in  Service,"  the  latter  was  par- 
ticularly interesting  and  it  was  gratifying  to  one  of  the  Su- 
perintendents of  the  Young  Society  to  be  asked  by  one  of  the 
youngest  members  of  the  society  for  one  chapter  of  "Com- 
rades in  Service"  for  use  in  a  Christian  Endeavor  Pro- 
gramme. 

147 


There  were  present  at  the  first  meeting  eight  girls,  who, 
according  to  the  rule  of  the  Westminster  Circle  must  be  be- 
tween 11  and  18  years  of  age.  So  zealous  were  they  in  good 
work  that,  before  the  end  of  the  first  year,  the  number  had 
doubled.  Though  there  were,  at  one  time,  21  or  22  on  the 
roll,  the  average  attendance  was  10  or  12.  The  Chapter 
wished  to  have  the  name  it  bore  because  each  member  ex- 
pressed the  affectionate  appreciation  she  felt  for  the  faith- 
ful, eff'icient  training  of  Mrs.  Cliff'ord  in  the  Junior  Sunday 
School  Department.  With  reluctance,  Mrs.  Cliff'ord  con- 
sented to  let  the  Missionary  infant  be  christened  "Emily 
Orr,"  her  maideii  name. 

The  charter  members  were: 

Ruth  Kennedy  Dorothy  Corsett 

Doris  Kirk  Helen  Corsett 

Elizabeth  Wright  Margaret  Hummert 

Margaret  Wright  Iva  Spitz 

The  following  names  were  soon  added  to  the  roll : 

Katherine  Haas  Louise  Wright 

Thelma  Jones  Grace  Marie  Lockyear 

Elizabeth  Thurgood  Lucile  Genning 

Catherine  Wellman  Virginia  Harper 

Mrs.  Russell,  Mrs.  Wellman,  Mrs.  Ogle  and  Mrs.  Gil- 
christ, at  diff'erent  times,  made  plans  for  the  meeting  and 
directed  the  thought  of  the  organization,  whose  aim  was 
really  and  truly  two-fold,  first,  to  develop  symmetrical 
Christian  young  womanhood ;  second,  to  build  together  for 
world-wide  Christian  service  the  young  women  of  our  de- 
nomination. 

The  work  of  the  Emily  Orr  Circle  ceased — to  live  a 
larger,  richer  life  in  Christian  Endeavor  Service. 

Mary  P.  Gilchrist. 
A  new  Emily  Orr  Circle  was  organized  March,  1920, 
with  Mrs.  Harry  Little  and  Miss  Lorain  D.  Cutler  as  pa- 
tronesses. After  the  first  meeting,  Mrs.  Little  resigned  on 
account  of  ill  health  and  Miss  Cutler  became  the  head.  This 
Circle  was  formed  for  the  development  of  missions  among 
the  girls  of  the  church  belonging  to  the  Junior  Department 
of  the  Sunday  School.  The  aim  is  three-fold — missions,  de- 
votional and  social.  The  meetings  are  held  the  first  Satur- 
day in  each  month  omitting  the  summer  months  of  July, 
August  and  September.  The  dues  are  ten  cents  each  meet- 
ing.   This  is  necessary  as  we  want  to  be  able  to  take  shares 

148 


ill  the  Westminster  Circle  of  the  Boards  of  the  Women's 
Society.  Usually  the  Boards  publish  good  mission  books 
which  the  patroness  uses  in  connection  with  the  mission 
programme.  Often  charity  work  can  be  introrduced  and 
thus  connect  the  Circle  with  civic  work  of  our  own  com- 
munity. We  are  now  numbering  a  dozen  little  girls,  all 
eager,  all  willing,  all  praying  to  have  their  part  in  World 
Wide  Consecration. 

Membership. 

Lorain  D.  Cutler 

Elizabeth  Clifford  Clarice  Jones 

Aime  Leich  Elizabeth  Robertson 

Orvilla  Smith  Helen  Wright 

Esther  Kirk  Dorothy  Peck 

Kendrick  Orr  Dorothy  Farrow 

Ida  Elizabeth  Riley  Lucile  Harris 


BOY  SCOUTS. 

Walnut  Street  Presbyterian  Boy  Scout  Troop  No.  20 
was  organized  and  granted  a  charter  by  the  National  Coun- 
cil on  October  31,  1916,  with  Paul  H.  Schmidt  as  Scoutmas- 
ter, and  Walter  E.  Keeney  as  Assistant.  Organization  of 
this  troop  was: 

Bear  Patrol—                             Wolf  Patrol- 
James  L.  Clifford  John  E.  Owen 
George  W.  Dougherty  F.  William  Russell 
Tom  O.  Keeney  Vernon  W.  Copeland 
Francis  J.  Owen  John  P.  Baird 
Daniel  F.  Spitz  Robert  L.  Greek 
Charles  P.  Gulp  Jesse  G.  Patterson 
John  F.  Baker  George  W.  Heston 
Roland  L.  Baker  Robert  E.  Leggett 
Norman  D.  Schmuck  George  M.  Archer 

Regular  meetings  were  held  Friday  evenings  during 
the  fall,  winter  and  spring,  Mr.  Schmidt  stressing  the  pro- 
ceedings by  parliamentary  law  and  following  the  general 
program  for  scout  advancement.  In  early  June  of  1917, 
shortly  after  the  darkening  war  clouds  had  finally  burst, 
the  leaders  joined  the  colors  and  during  this  time  of  military 
service,  troop  meetings  were  discontinued. 

In  September,   1919,  upon  my  return    from    service, 

149 


Troop  No.  20  was  reorganized  and  meetings  have  been  con- 
ducted weekly  since  that  time.  The  present  personnel  of 
the  troop  is  as  follows : 

Scoutmaster — Walter  E.  Keeney. 
Assistant — Clyde  Smith. 

Senior  Patrol  Leader — Wylie  Little. 

First  Patrol — Flying  Eagle  Emblem. 

Frank  Hawkins,  Leader  Frank  Kraft 

Amos  Erwin,  Assistant  Robert  Smith 

Byron  Weintz  Marcus  Mozay 

Louis  Puster  Florian  Mandel 

Second  Patrol — Bear  Emblem. 

Harold  Leich,  Leader  William  Shofner 

Aubrey  Tilley,  Assistant  Chester  Atwood 

Arthur  Bartlett  Oliver  Atwood 

Leroy  Meyer  John  Bays 

This  gives  us  two  full  patrols,  every  boy  of  which  is 
well  advanced  in  the  fundamentals  of  higher  scouting. 

Two  of  our  church  members,  Mr.  B.  F.  Persons  and 
Mr.  Samuel  Orr  are  members  of  the  executive  committee  of 
the  Boy  Scouts  of  America  in  Evansville. 

Our  Boy  Scout  motto  is  "Be  Prepared,"  prepared  to  do 
the  right  thing  in  any  emergency  which  may  arise.  We 
try  to  be  efficient  and  self-reliant.  Then  each  boy  scout 
does  at  least  one  good  turn  each  day  to  some  one,  and  that  in 
addition  to  the  home  chores.  These  are  the  cornerstones 
of  the  Boy  Scout  movement. 

At  the  commencement  of  our  scout  life  we  take  the 
following  oath  of  allegiance: 

"On  my  honor  I  will  do  my  best  to  do  my  duty  to  God 
and  my  country,  and  to  obey  the  scout  laws,  to  help  other 
people  at  all  times  and  to  keep  myself  physically  strong, 
mentally  awake,  morally  straight.' 

The  scout  laws  which  we  hold  as  our  example  upon 
which  to  model  our  lives  require  that  each  of  us  be  trust- 
worthy, loyal,  helpful,  friendly,  courteous,  kind,  obedient, 
cheerful,  thrifty,  brave,  clean,  and  reverent. 

There  are  three  grades  of  scouts:  (1)  tenderfoot,  (2) 
second  class,  (3)  first  class.  A  beginner  is  a  candidate. 
Upon  learning  the  scout  oath,  laws,  motto,  sign,  salute,  sig- 
nificance of  badge,  composition  and  history  of  the  American 

150 


flag  and  customary  respects  rendered  to  it,  and  some  useful 
knots  of  rope  tieing-,  the  boy  takes  the  o'ath  and  is  promoted 
to  tenderfoot  rating. 

Upon  meeting  certain  other  requirements,  a  tender- 
foot becomes  a  second  class  scout.  These  include  elementary 
signaling  either  semaphore  or  international  Morse  codes, 
tracking,  going  a  mile  at  scouts  pace,  proper  use  of  knife  and 
hatchet^  fire  building,  cooking  and  boxing  the  compass. 

A  broader  study  of  program  outlined  for  second  class 
together  with  some  additional  requirements  along  similar 
lines,  permits  the  boy  to  become  first  class,  after  which  he 
by  thorough  study  can  gain  various  merit  badges  for  pro- 
ficiency. 

We  devote  many  of  our  Saturday  afternoons  to  hikes 
and  outings,  fostering  a  love  of  the  great  outdoors  and 
teaching  unlimited  confidence  in  individual  ability.  We  try 
to  aid  self-development  for  each  boy,  directing  thought  and 
action  into  the  channels  most  constructive  for  good  citizen- 
ship and  stronger  manhood. 

Walter  E.  Keeney. 


WALNUT  NEIGHBORHOOD  BOYS'  CLUB. 

With  the  coming  of  Rev.  Whitcomb,  there  found  ex- 
pression a  purpose  long  felt  in  the  church  to  make  the 
church  a  greater  force  for  neighborhood  social  life. 
With  the  increase  in  apartment  houses,  where  family 
life  was  cramped ,  the  neighborhood  gave  evidence  of 
the  need  of  a  playground  for  the  children,  social  rooms  for 
the  young  people,  etc.  Zealous  of  making  the  church  of  the 
greatest  possible  usefulness  in  meeting  these  needs,  the  con- 
gregation appropriated  a  small  fund  with  which  to  begin 
such  a  social  program  and  the  ground  next  to  the  church, 
in  the  rear  of  the  manse  was  fenced  in  by  a  high  wire  back- 
stop and  equipment  provided  for  indoor  base  ball,  basket- 
ball, volley  ball,  etc.  The  boys  of  the  neighborhood  were 
organized  into  the  Walnut  Neighborhood  Boys  Club  under 
the  leadership  of  the  pastor,  twenty  boys  holding  member- 
ship at  the  time  of  writing.  During  the  summer  of  1920, 
shower  baths  were  provided  in  one  room  of  the  building 
formerly  used  as  a  stable,  and  a  commodious  club  room  was 
arranged  by  remodeling  the  upstairs  of  this  building.  The 
Club  was  thoroughly  cosmopolitan  in  its  makeup,  comprising 
Catholic,  Christian  Science,  Methodist,  Baptist,  as  well  as 
Presbyterian  denominations,  even  including  one  colored  boy 
who  later  "joined  out,"  however. 

151 


CHAPTER  VII. 


WALNUT  STREET  CHURCH  CHOIR. 

The  early  history  of  Wahiut  Street  Choir  was  very  in- 
terestingly related  in  a  letter  written  in  1895  by  Col.  C.  K. 
Drew,  then  residing  in  New  Orleans,  La.,  and  a  former  or- 
ganist, and  read  by  a  former  member  of  the  Choir  at  the 
twenty-fifth  anniversary  of  Prof.  Tinker's  leadership,  which 
was  celebrated  at  the  Church,  Oct.  11,  1895.  Some  facts  are 
here  mentioned : — 

Mr.  Drew  says,  "The  Choir  of  Walnut  Street  Church 
is  said  not  to  have  been  born — it  grew.  There  never  was 
a  formal  organization.  In  the  decade  ending  with  1850,  in 
the  little  brick  structure  "set  upon  a  hill,"  the  corner  at  the 
right  of  the  white  box  pulpit  was  occupied  by  a  few  of  the 
faithful  who  sang  familiar  hymns  to  old  tunes.  Father 
Chute,  the  leader,  was  the  inspiration  of  the  song  service, 
for  to  him  singing  was  worship.  In  1847,  those  sufficiently 
advanced  to  turn  a  tune,  were  accustomed  to  meet  at  the 
Exchange  Hotel  kept  by  Col.  C.  K.  Drew,  Sr.,  who  became 
the  leader.  He  led  with  his  flute  which  he  played  with 
grace  and  skill  and  Father  Knight  assisted  with  a  violin- 
cello  called  in  those  unlettered  days  a  bass-viol.  It  was  an 
honor  then,  as  it  has  always  been,  to  belong  to  the  Choir. 
Invitations  to  join  it  were  sparingly  given  out.  In  those 
informal  early  choir  meetings  held  at  the  Exchange  Hotel 
because  it  afforded  convenient  room,  refreshments  after  the 
singing  were  always  provided. 

In  1851,  the  Church  was  extended  29  feet  and  a  little 
gallery  constructed  9/2  feet  in  the  clear  at  the  highest  point, 
receding  towards  the  sides.  It  was  reached  by  a  narrow 
winding  staircase.  There  is  a  choir  legend,  that  when  the 
balloon-hoop-skirt  epidemic  was  at  its  height,  some  of  the 
lady  members  had  to  sit  with  the  congregation.  A  Melo- 
deon  was  purchased  and  in  the  steeple  a  bell  was  hung — the 
first  church  bell  in  Evansville.  Mr.  Drew  says,  if  the  church 
had  a  sexton  he  must  have  drawn  the  line  on  Saturday  night 
service,  fer  he  remembers  very  well  that  it  was  his  business 
to  start  the  fire  in  the  winter  time  and  ring  the  bell  for  the 
choir  meeting.  After  the  choir  assembled,  he  was  the 
"Melodeonist."  No  salaries  were  paid  in  those  days  for 
choir  services — it  was  the  labor  of  love. 

Among  the  members  at  that  time  were  David  J.  Mack- 
er,  Charles  Henson,  Osborne  Reilly,  Daniel  Woolsey,  W.  K. 

l.-)2 


McGrew,  Miss  Cornelia  Warner,  afterwards  Mrs.  Culbert- 
son,  Miss  Marion  Wilcox  afterwards  Mrs.  Dr.  Rucker, 
Misses  Mary  and  Martha  Morton,  Miss  Mallie  Shanklin,  aft- 
erwards the  wife  of  Associate  Justice  Harlan,  Miss  Mary 
Jones,  afterwards  Mrs.  Blythe  Hynes,  Miss  Tileston,  after- 
wards Mrs.  Henson  and  Miss  Mary  Mackey,  afterwards, 
Mrs.  S.  E.  Gilbert. 

After  the  dedication  of  the  present  Church  edifice  m 
1864,  the  organ  was  in  the  gallery  across  the  Walnut  St. 
end  of  the  building,  Mr.  Theodore  Russell  became  the  leader 
and  Mr.  C.  K.  Drew,  Jr.,  the  organist.  The  organ  was  built 
by  W.  D.  B.  Simmons  &  Co.,  of  Boston,  Mass.,  and  cost 
$1,500.00  For  about  ten  years  the  choir  occupied  the  loft, 
then  the  organ  was  removed  to  the  present  location  in  the 
rear  of  the  pulpit.  The  moving  of  the  organ  from  the  gar- 
ret was  not  a  very  expensive  or  laborious  work,  but  to  move 
the  congregation  to  permit  it  to  be  done,  was  a  task,  the 
magnitude  of  which  cannot  be  appreciated  in  these  days  of 
ready  acceptance  of  new  ideas.  A  campaign  document  was 
printed,  headed  "five  reasons  why  the  organ  and  choir 
should  be  removed  to  the  rear  of  the  pulpit,"  and  a  copy 
was  placed  in  every  pew  at  a  prayer  meeting  service.  At 
the  conclusion  of  the  service,  Mr.  Samuel  Orr,  the  nestor  of 
the  congregation,  arose  in  his  place,  and  with  a  copy  of  the 
tract  in  his  hand,  proceeded  to  advocate  the  change. 

That  settled  it.  Whatever  Mr.  Orr's  sound  judgment 
approved,  was  surely  done.  The  organ  was  moved  and  the 
present  choir  loft  was  erected. 

In  the  year  1870,  Prof.  Milton  Z.  Tinker  became  the 
Director  of  the  Choir  and  served  faithfully  for  a  period  of 
forty  years.  A  capable  leader,  his  heart  in  his  work.  The 
foremost  qualities  he  instilled  into  his  choir  members,  were 
strict  attention  and  punctuality.  He,  himself,  was  never 
known  to  be  absent  or  late.  After  one  hour  of  hard  study 
at  choir  rehearsals,  he  was  usually  heard  to  say,  "We  will 
stop  now  and  trust  to  Providence  tomorrow." 

In  the  year  1883,  the  present  organ  was  installed,  hav- 
ing been  built  by  H.  Pilcher  Co.,  of  Louisville,  Ky. 

A  noteworthy  event  during  Prof.  Tinker's  leadership 
was  the  celebration  of  his  Silver  Jubilee  as  leader,  held  in  the 
church  parlors  and  attended  by  the  membership  of  the 
Church,  at  which  time  Rev.  Otis  Smith,  then  pastor,  present- 
ed him  with  a  handsome  diamond  stud  from  the  ladies  of  the 
church. 

Among  the  members  in  the  decade  ending  with  the  year 
1880,  appeared  the  names  of  the  following : —  Mr.  and  Mrs. 

153 


Mason,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  K.  Drew,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hynes,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Gilbert,  Mrs.  Lizzie  Shanklin,  Miss  Nellie  Goodge, 
Misses  Anna  and  Maggie  Farrell,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Butterfield, 
Miss  Anna  McCarer,  Mr.  Theo  Paissell,  Wm.  DeLang. 

In  the  year  1895,  the  membership  was  as  follows.  So- 
pranos— Misses  Nellie  Goodge,  Ruth  Kraft,  Mayme  Herren- 
bruck,  Helen  Decker,  Olive  Goodge,  Rose  Smith,  Grace  Trip- 
lett,  Emily  Sullivan,  Jingling,  Mae  McCutcheon,  Lena  Deck- 
er, Rose  McDowell.  Altos — Misses  Emma  Decker,  Emma 
McCoy,  Olive  Hankins,  Alice  Smith,  Lena  Triplett,  Anna 
Bromm,  Mrs.  M.  H.  Lockyear,  Martha  Orr. 

Tenors— Mr.  M.  Z.  Tinker,  Otto  Barton,  Chas.  Schau- 
ner,  Richard  Northal.  Bassos — Messrs  Samuel  Orr,  Colin 
Gilchrist,  Geo.  Eggers,  Joe  Wastjer,  Louis  Kestner,  Robt. 
Bonner,  Charles  Little,  Frank  McCoy,  Will  Sansom,  Will 
Baird,  M.  H.  Lockyear. 

Prof.  Tinker  was  assisted  in  his  work  by  several  prom- 
inent organists,  who,  each  served  a  number  of  years,  among 
them.  Miss  Amelia  Lawrence,  Mrs.  Boyden,  Miss  Hobbs, 
Miss  Maggie  Allen  (afterwards  Mrs.  Wm.  McLean-,  Prof. 
Arnold  Habbe  and  Mrs.  Addie  K.  Millis,  who  began  her  serv- 
ices about  the  year  1887  and  continued  until  Prof.  Tinker's 
resignation  in  1910,  when  she  became  Director  as  well  as 
organist.  At  this  time  Mrs.  Louis  Kestner  became  assist- 
ant organist,  and  was  succeeded  by  Mrs.  Willis  M.  Copeland 
a  year  later. 

Miss  Amelia  Lawrence,  at  her  death,  left  a  legacy  of 
$5,000,  the  interest  of  which  was  to  be  paid  to  her  sister 
during  her  life,  the  principal  to  come  to  Walnut  Street  at  her 
death.    It  is  still  unpaid. 

Mrs.  Lizzie  Shanklin  raised  $250.00  in  the  congregation 
toward  the  proposed  Tinker  Memorial  Organ  in  memory  of 
Mr.  Tinker's  long  service  as  leader  of  Walnut  Street  Choir. 

In  Sept.,  1917,  Prof.  Walter  A.  Otto  became  Choir 
Leader  and  Mrs.  Copeland,  organist.  Mr.  Otto  was  succeed- 
ed the  present  year  by  Prof.  Andrew  T.  Webster,  Super- 
visor of  Music  in  the  Public  Schools.  (A  coincidence  that 
half  a  century  after  Mr.  Tinker  began  his  work  with  the 
choir,  the  present  director  should  have  the  same  position  in 
the  Public  Schools  as  that  occupied  by  Mr.  Tinker. 

The  members  of  the  Choir  at  this  time  are.  Sopranos, 
Mrs.  Philip  Knell,  Mrs.  S.  Bayard  Goodge.  Altos,  Mrs.  Fred 
H.  Ruff,  Miss  Blanche  Jung.  Tenor,  Mr.  Albert  Schanzen- 
becher. 

154 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


REV.  OTIS  SMITH. 

Rev.  Otis  A.  Smith  was  bora  in  Albion,  111.,  April  10, 
1862.  He  was  the  youngest  of  seven  children  and  son  of 
Rev.  Thomas  and  Jane  Smith,  who  came  from  England  in 
1848.  He  was  graduated  from  Wabash  College  in  1884.  In 
the  fall  of  1884  he  went  to  Union  Theological  Seminary,  New 
York  City.  After  one  year  he  came  back  to  Chicago  and 
spent  two  years  in  McCormick  Theological  Seminary.  He 
was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  Frankfort,  Ind.,  in  1887. 

He  was  married  June  2,  1887  to  Miss  Martha  Binford 
of  Crawfordsville.  March  10,  1891  he  took  up  the  work 
at  Walnut  Street  Presbyterian  Church  at  Evansville.  A  few 
months  later  Mrs.  Smith  died  leaving  a  little  daughter, 
Grace,  who  was  reared  by  her  grandmother  in  Crawfords- 
ville. Dr.  Smith  afterwards  married  Miss  Jennie  Gosman 
of  Lawrenceville,  N.  J.,  then  teaching  in  Miss  Peabody's 
Classical  School  for  Girls  at  Evansville,  a  devoted  Christian 
woman  of  religious  and  missionary  antecedents.  He  is  now 
located  at  Alexandria,  Indiana,  with  his  family  of  three  sons 
and  two  daughters. 

Dr.  Smith  made  use  of  modern  advertising  methods, 
cards  giving  the  subject  to  his  series  of  evening  sermons 
on  popular  subjects  being  distributed  by  members  and  draw- 
ing congregations  of  young  people,  to  whom  his  appeal  was 
especially  made.  It  was  quite  the  fashion  in  his  day  for 
young  men  to  come  to  the  C.  E.  and  evening  service  to  meet 
the  young  women  and  later  escort  them  home.  Dr.  Smith 
was  a  young  man  and  full  of  energy  and  enthusiasm  and 
actuated  by  the  highest  principles  of  right  and  duty.  He  was 
especially  active  and  beloved  in  the  Parke  Memorial  Chapel, 
as  evidenced  by  his  reception  there  on  his  return  to  officiate 
at  their  25th  anniversary. 

Some  Incidents  in  the  Ministry  of  Otis  A.  Smith  as  Pas- 
tor of  Walnut  Street  Presbyterian  Church,  Evansville,  Ind. 

"I  came  to  Evansville  Walnut  Street  Presbyterian 
Church  through  the  suggestion  of  Dr.  Jos.  F.  Tuttle,  D.  D., 

155 


Rev.  Otis  Smith. 


156 


of  Wabash  College.  The  first  service  I  conducted  was  the 
prayer  meeting,  March  11,  1891,  having  arrived  in  the  city 
the  day  before 

There  was  an  aroma  of  sweet  spices  in  connection  with 
my  entrance  upon  the  pastorate.  Dr.  L.  M.  Gilleland,  who 
had  gone  to  Lake  View  Presbyterian  Church  of  Chicago 
from  Walnut  Street  Church  passed  away  March  1,  1891.  The 
second  Sunday  of  my  pastorate  was  given  over,  in  the  even- 
ing service,  to  a  worthy  memorial  of  that  good  man  and 
faithful  pastor.  Addresses  were  made  by  each  of  the  Pres- 
byterian pastors,  Meldrum  and  Lowry — also  by  Dr.  Morris 
of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  Dr.  Bryan  of  the  C.  P.  Church, 
and  by  James  L.  Orr.  The  installation  services  were  held 
May  17  and  participated  in  by  Dr.  Jos.  F.  Tuttle,  Rev.  W.  S. 
Lowry  and  Dr.  A.  B.  Meldrum. 

The  work  of  the  church  was  growing,  both  in  the  Wal- 
nut Street  Church  and  at  the  Chapel;  the  officers  of  the 
Church  thought  best  to  call  a  student  from  the  Seminary  to 
assist  in  the  work,  especially  at  Parke  Chapel.  Rev.  Graham 
Lee  was  the  man  who  came  and  who  did  most  excellent  ser- 
vice— his  self-sacrificing  work  will  always  be  remembered 
by  those  who  came  in  touch  with  him.  There  was  not  a  sel- 
fish streak  in  his  genial  personality.  Mr.  Lee  afterwards 
married  Miss  Blanche  Webb,  and  they,  together  with  Mrs. 
Webb,  went  to  Korea.  The  going  of  these  consecrated  work- 
ers formed  a  new  and  lasting  bond  between  Walnut  Street 
Church  and  the  Mission  field. 

Two  great  union  meetings  were  held  during  my  pastor- 
ate, all  the  churches  of  the  city  uniting;  one  under  B.  Fay 
Mills  in  1893,  and  another  under  Dr.  J.  Wilber  Chapman  in 
1895. 

The  vision  and  self-sacrifice  of  the  Walnut  Street 
Church  is  nowhere  more  evident  than  in  connection  with  the 
work  of  the  Sabbath  School.  The  spirit  of  Walnut  Street 
was  never  selfish — it  was  not  self-centered.  Any  good  cause 
that  would  help  the  city  always  found  an  advocate  and  l!>yal 
supporter  in  this  church.  It  was  so  in  the  temperance  cause ; 
in  the  case  of  the  waifs  and  the  poor,  in  city  mission  work. 

I  shall  never  cease  to  be  grateful  for  the  thoughtf ulness 
about  the  pastor's  comfort,  which  was  always  exercised  with 
a  degree  of  cheerfulness  which  I  have  never  known  to  be  ex- 
ceeded anywhere." 

A57 


CHAPTER  IX. 


KEV.  SAMUEL  N.  WILSON,  D.  D. 

Samuel  Newton  Wilson,  son  of  Rev.  James  Alfred  Wil 
son  and  Emily  Maxwell  Wilson,  was  born  in  Crawfordsville, 
Ind.,  Nov.  18,  1847.  Losing  his  parents  early  in  life  ,he  was 
reared  by  an  uncle  and  aunt,  Prof.  J.  M.  Coyner  and  wife. 
Through  the  instruction  and  guidance  of  this  earnest  Chris- 
tian educator  during  his  childhood  and  youth  his  m.ind  and 
purpose  was  directed  to  the  ministry.  He  well  remembers 
a  conversation  with  his  uncle,  which  decided  his  course, 
upon  the  return  of  the  latter  from  a  meeting  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  where  the  needed  increase  in  the  ranks  of  the 
ministry  had  been  earnestly  pressed.  It  is  worthy  of  note 
in  this  connection  that  Prof.  Coyner  in  his  long  and  useful 
career  was  the  means  of  influencing  twenty  other  young  men 
to  choose  this  high  calling.  What  a  comment  on  the  import- 
ance to  the  church  of  Christian  schools  and  men  of  sterling 
Christian  character  and  faith  as  teachers. 

I  entered  Hanover  College  as  a  Freshman  in  the  fall  of 
1868  and  graduated  with  the  class  of  1872,  and  the  following 
fall  entered  Lane  Seminary,  Cincinnati,  completing  the 
course  in  the  spring  of  1875,  and  was  at  once  called  to  the 
Pastorate  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Lawrenceburg, 
Ind.,  the  scene  of  the  first  pastorate  of  Henry  Ward  Beecher, 
and  where  many  graduates  of  the  Seminary  did  their  initial 
work.  As  a  good  old  elder  of  the  church  once  said  to  me, 
"Yes,  you  young  men  stay  with  us  until  you  get  to  be  good 
preachers  and  then  you  leave  us."  From  the  streets  of  Law- 
renceburg you  could  see  the  early  home  of  President  Harri- 
son and  the  territory  of  three  States.  It  was  surrounded  by 
a  cordon  of  distifleries  that,  year  after  year,  turned  the  corn 
of  the  fertile  Miami  Valley  into  whiskey — certainly  an  in- 
viting field  for  missionary  eff'ort.  November  18,  1875,  my 
birthday,  I  was  united  in  marriage  with  Eliza  J.  Phillips  of 
Hanover,  Indiana,  my  college  town. 

At  the  spring  meeting  of  White  Water  Presbytery  the 
following  year  I  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor.  Here 
our  children,  Edgar,  Mary,  Gertrude  and  Alfred  were  born. 
We  remained  31/2  years,  erecting  a  handsome  new  church  on 
the  site  of  the  old  in  the  very  midst  of  the  great  floods  of 
the  Ohio  in  1882-3-4.      In  the  fall  of  1884  an  unexpected  call 

158 


came  from  the  extreme  northwestern  corner  of  the  state, 
from  Valparaiso,  the  location  of  a  great  Normal  school.  The 
church  here  was  also  in  the  midst  of  the  erection  of  a  fine 
new  building,  which  called  for  the  utmost  wisdom  and  en- 
ergy to  bring  to  a  successful  conclusion.  Here  our  children, 
Donald  and  Jeannette,  were  born.  Seven  and  one-half  years 
were  spent  witnessing  the  introduction  of  Christian  En- 
deavor into  the  church  activities  ad  affording  the  joy  of  wel- 
coming many  into  the  church  fellowship.  In  1892  I  was 
called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  First  Presbyterian  church 
of  Anderson,  Indiana,  one  of  the  rapidly  growing  cities,  lo- 
cated in  the  very  center  of  the  natural  gas  belt  of  the  State. 
Four  wonderfully  busy  years  were  terminated  by  a  call  from 
the  Walnut  Street  Presbyterian  Church  of  Evansville  in  the 
fall  of  1896,  removing  in  December.  Here,  with  Parke  Me- 
morial, its  child,  served  Rev.  John  Engstrow,  it  was  my 
privilege  to  labor  with  its  hospitable  and  cultivated  people 
for  another  four  years. 

During  this  pastorate  I  received  the  honorary  degree  of 
D.  D.,  from  my  "Alma  Mater",  which  the  present  August 
N.  Sonne,  D.  D.,  a  son  of  the  church  esteemed  it  a  privilege, 
personally  to  announce  to  the  people  from  my  pulpit.  This 
change  gave  me  the  unique  distinction  of  having  served  in 
every  corner  of  the  state,  but  one. 

In  December,  1900,  our  work  in  Indiana  ceased  in  an- 
swer to  a  call  from  Wausaw,  Wis.,  six  hundred  miles  north. 
The  church  here  was  a  wonderful  missionary  church  where 
opportunity  for  local  and  synodical  service  of  far-reaching 
import  called  for  the  best  energies  of  heart  and  brain  that 
after  eight  years  brought  us  to  the  Semi-centennial  of  the 
church  in  1908  and  led  me  to  feel  the  need  of  taking  a 
church  involving  less  responsibility.  I,  therefore,  in  August, 
1908,  accepted  a  call  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Reeds- 
burg,  Wis.,  a  beautiful  little  city,  some  fifty  miles  north  of 
Madison,  the  state  capital.  After  a  delightful  pastorate  of 
eight  years,  I  was  led,  by  advancing  age  and  impaired  health, 
to  offer  my  resignation,  and  with  my  wife  removed  to 
Stevens  Point,  Wis.,  wherer  since  her  marriage,  our  young- 
est daughter,  Mrs.  C.  W.  Capps,  resided.  On  the  occasion  of 
her  death,  February,  1920,  we  gave  up  our  home  and  went 
to  live  in  that  of  our  son-in-law,  that  we  might  care  for  our 
little  grandson,  thus  left  without  a  mother. 

Since  leaving  the  active  work,  I  have  frequently  served 
as  a  supply  for  my  bi'ethren  for  months  at  a  tnne,  as  in  the 
Home  Church,  until  they  secured  a  pastor  in  the  early  spring 

159 


of  1921.  Thus,  in  watching  the  growth  of  the  Church  in 
evangelistic  and  educational  lines  and  in  helping,  as  oppor- 
tunity offers,  we  rejoice  that  we  are  able  "to  bring  forth 
fruit  in  old  age,"  and  to  enjoy  intercessory  prayer  for  the 
churches  we  have  served  and  the  world  at  large." 

S.  N.  Wilson. 

When  you  speak  of  a  Centennial  Celebration  in  Indiana, 
it  carries  you  back  to  early  and  pioneer  days,  both  in  the 
matters  of  church  and  state.  To  the  days  when  the  tide  of 
emigration  swept  over  the  Alleghenies  and  down  the  Ohio 
valley  and  river  and  settled  along  the  shores.  Naturally, 
here  our  earliest  Presbyterian  churches  would  be  organized 
and  the  passage  of  time  give  opportunity  for  growth  and 
usefulness. 

My  first  knowledge  of  the  Walnut  Street  Presbyterian 
Church  was  when  as  a  pastor  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  at 
Lawrenceburg  (my  first  charge)  I  attended  a  meeting  of 
Synod  held  within  its  walls.  I  have  but  dim  remembrance 
of  its  programme  and  subjects  of  discussion,  but  do  retain 
the  impression  of  its  choir  and  wonderful  leader,  and  of  the 
high  praises  on  every  lip  accorded  to  Elder  Samuel  Orr, 
the  staunch  and  liberal  friend  of  the  church  and  all  its  work. 
Little  did  I  dream  that  one  day  I  would  become  its  pastor 
and  identified  in  carrying  forward  that  which  had  called 
forth  his  prayers  and  labors  of  love. 

My  next  personal  touch  with  the  church  was  when  as 
Commissioner  to  the  General  Assembly.  I  met  Rev.  Otis 
Smith,  D.  D.,  and  Elder  Samuel  Little  and  wife  bound  for 
the  same  destination,  and  had  delightful  experiences  of 
travel  with  them  at  Niagara  Falls  and  other  points  along  the 
way. 

My  third  and  closer  introduction  was  when  Elder  Rob- 
ert Smith  and  Mrs.  L.  Cutler  made  an  excursion  northward 
with  Anderson,  Ind.,  as  their  goal,  and  appeared  as  strang- 
ers in  my  congregation  and  Sunday  School  one  Sabbath 
morning,  and  later  were  present  at  an  afternoon  Mission 
Service.  This  incursion  to  spy  out  the  land  later  led  to  an 
invitation  to  visit  the  church,  the  extension  of  a  call,  its  ac- 
ceptance and  settlement  as  pastor. 

In  the  late  fall  of  1896,  almost  on  the  borders  of  winter, 
our  household  goods  and  good  sized  family  (furnishing 
a  representative  for  almost  every  department  of  church 
activity-  arrived  and  were  made  at  home  in  the  comfortable 
and  well  appointed  parsonage.  As  we  recall  there  were  few 
events  of  marked  local  interest  occurring  during  our  com- 

160 


paratively  brief  pastorate.  We  were  a  down-town  church 
on  the  border-line  of  business,  not  in  a  center  of  teeming- 
population  or  in  a  rapidly  growing  residential  position  call- 
ing for  special  institutional  activities. 

The  usual  trend  of  ministerial  service  upon  the  Sabbath 
claimed  the  pastor's  best  work,  while  co-operating  heartily 
with  Parke  Memorial,  our  associate  church,  the  Y.  M.  C.  A., 
the  Home  of  the  Friendless  and  other  public  utilities  and 
movements.  The  great  Home  Mission  self-sustaining  move- 
ment was  obtaining  momentum,  rapidly  placing  Indiana  in 
the  front  rank  in  this  comprehensive,  far  reaching  step.  Old 
Vincennes  Presbytery  felt  its  impulse,  new  churches  being 
organized  in  hitherto  neglected  regions  in  coal  mining  camps 
and  villages,  such  as  those  in  which  Elder  Little  and  Attor- 
ney Gilchrist  were  interested. 

In  this  movement,  effort  was  also  made  to  kindle  life 
in  dying  country  churches.  The  pastor  being  sent  by  Pres- 
bytery to  one  in  the  fertile  Wabash  valley  to  hold  a  meeting 
and  take  a  vote  whether  its  name  should  be  erased  from  the 
roll  and  the  church  be  given  decent  and  formal  burial,  or 
whether  it  should  arise  and  shine,  and  refuse  to  be  dis- 
solved. We  are  happy  to  announce  that  the  vote  was  hearty 
and  unanimous  for  the  latter  course  and  the  pastor  felt  that 
in  "strengthening  the  things  which  remained/'  he  had 
achieved  something  worth  while  in  his  pastorate. 

The  pastor,  with  the  assistance  of  Elder  James  Orr, 
accomplished  something  of  the  same  kind  in  the  city.  The 
affairs  of  the  First  Avenue  Presbyterian  Church  had  reach- 
ed such  a  low  ebb  that  they  were  unable  to  secure  a  pastor. 
They  could  not  raise  a  salary  and  there  was  no  one  willing 
to  go  out  and  make  the  canvass  for  subscriptions.  Rev. 
Charles  Kircher,  D.  D.,  of  whom  it  is  said  that  "he  thought 
it  was  his  special  mission  to  take  hold  of  churches  whom  no 
one  else  would  take,  and  build  them  up,"  in  the  meantime 
visited  the  church  and  preached  to  the  people.  He  then  re- 
ported that  if  some  one  would  make  a  canvass  for  subscrip- 
tions he  would  undertake  the  pastorate  if  the  church  desired. 
With  the  fate  of  a  church  at  stake,  there  was  nothing  left 
for  the  pastor  of  Walnut  street  church  and  his  faithful  elder 
but  to  roll  up  their  sleeves,  or  rather  put  on  their  seven 
league  boots  and  undertake  the  task. 

The  outcome  was  made  plain  in  the  remarkably  suc- 
cessful pastorate  of  Dr.  Kircher  and  in  the  continued  use- 
fulness and  growth  of  the  Church  in  the  development  of  the 
city.     "Coming  events  cast  their  shadows  before." 

A  conversation  with  Dr.  Darby  as  we  were  mutually  on 

161 


our  way  to  our  respective  Presbyteries,  impressed  me  deeply 
so  that  I  was  not  surprised  when  later  he  became  easily  one 
of  the  most  potent  factors  in  the  great  movement  for  the 
union  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  with  our 
own.  He  was  certainly  a  man  of  remarkable  talent  and  at- 
tainment in  his  service  rendered,  as  identified  with  both  de- 
nominations. I  count  it  an  honor  to  have  known  him  per- 
sonally and  to  have  come  in  touch  with  his  life's  work. 

Our  reception  by  the  ministers  of  our  sister  churches 
was  most  cordial,  but  with  none  were  they  more  fraternal 
and  intimate  than  with  Rev.  J.  L.  Marquis.  He  helped  us 
in  adjusting-  our  household  effects,  he  played  with  our  chil- 
dren and  mingled  in  delightful  companionship  as  one  of  the 
family.  This  happy  fellowship  found  but  a  larger  held  in  our 
city  Ministerial  Association.  Our  place  of  meeting  was  in 
the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  parlors  where  each  Monday  morning,  pa- 
pers and  addresses,  debates,  sermons  and  reviews  of  books 
and  discussions  of  subjects  current  or  bearing  upon  our 
work  or  that  of  the  public  weal  were  presented,  with  great 
helpfulness  to  us  all. 

A  memorable  event  in  the  history  of  my  Pastorate  was 
an  annual  meeting  of  the  Board  of  the  Northwest,  So  much 
did  it  become  a  matter  of  planning  and  conversation  on  the 
part  of  the  ladies  of  Grace  and  Walnut  Street  in  their  homes 
and  in  the  manse,  that  my  son,  Alfred,  got  it  twisted  and 
said :  "The  Plank  of  the  Northwest  was  coming."  He  knew 
it  had  something  to  do  with  lumber.  This  perhaps  was 
prophetic  of  his  present  line  of  employment,  a  wholesale 
lumber  merchant. 

In  the  division  of  labor,  the  programme  and  public 
meetings  were  rendered  in  Grace  Church  while  the  meals 
and  entertainment  of  guests  and  delegates  occurred  in  the 
parlors  of  Walnut  Street.  The  impressions  and  inspirations 
of  the  meeting  were  greatly  helpful  to  all  our  churches. 

Speaking  of  our  children.  An  experience  of  the  Mistress 
of  the  Manse  may  be  helpful  and  suggestice  to  mothers  in 
the  raising  of  their  boys.  The  back  yard  of  the  Manse  was 
often  well  supplied  with  boys  where  an  animated  game  of 
tennis  with  improvised  slab  rackets  proved  dangerous  to  the 
basement  windows  of  the  church,  until  protected  by  screens. 
Some  one  said  to  the  minister's  wife,  observing  the  daily 
situation,  "How  can  you  stand  all  this  clutter  and  crowd  and 
noise?"  To  which  she  replied,  "Oh,  I  would  rather  have  my 
boys  there  with  their  friends  and  know  where  they  are,  than 
running  the  streets  at  will."  A  wise  mother,  even  if  it  in- 
volved paying  for  a  few  broken  panes  of  glass.    An  unsight- 

162 


ly  shack  and  a  topsy  turvy  barn,  the  handiwork  of  the  viva- 
cious youngsters. 

The  home  circle  and  that  of  the  Church  appreciated  the 
presence,  for  about  a  year,  of  our  oldest  son,  Edgar.  For  a 
long  time  he  had  been  battling  for  his  health  in  the  west,  and 
to  him  home  was  a  blessed  haven  of  rest,  but  with  his  cus- 
tomary energy  and  tactful  adaption,  he  took  hold  of  church 
work  and  soon  was  chosen  for  the  leadership  of  our  Chris- 
tion  Endeavor,  which  then  and  ever  since,  owing  to  the  sur- 
roundings of  the  church,  has  been  a  difficult  matter  to  sus- 
tain, under  his  guidance  it  greatly  prospered.  Sometimes 
taking  charge  of  the  evening  service,  where  the  grace  with 
which  he  presided  and  the  wisdom  of  the  words  which  he 
uttered,  gave  hopeful  promise  of  his  usefulness  as  a  minister 
had  his  life  been  spared  to  enter  upon  his  chosen  work. 

In  this  connection  we  cannot  fail  to  mention  one  whose 
life  came  to  the  fruitage  of  the  ministry  during  our  pastor- 
ate, namely  August  W.  Sonne,  D.  D.,  a  son  of  the  church, 
whom  the  discernment  and  fraternal  help  of  Elder  James 
Orr  enabled  and  encouraged  to  prosecute  his  preparatory 
studies  until  he  reached  his  goal.  Certainly  never  was  a 
better  investment  made  of  interest  and  help  on  the  part  of  a 
business  man  than  this.  Would  that  more  were  on  the  out- 
look for  the  brightest  and  best  of  our  youth  that  they  might 
thus  be  dedicated  to  the  high  service  of  the  church. 

Prof.  Tinker,  so  long  the  superb  leader  of  the  church 
choir,  might  be  claimed  by  several  pastors  as  a  feature  of  his 
work  and  yet  it  was  during  my  regime  that  his  work  cli- 
maxed, if  I  correctly  remember,  in  its  twenty-fifth  anniver- 
sary. The  church  delighting  to  honor  him,  as  well  as  the 
community  with  appropriatae  programme,  gifts  and  testi- 
monials, and  well  they  might,  for  in  all  that  long  interval 
(unheard  of  thing)  "there  had  never  been  a  fuss  in  the 
choir,"  and  all  the  churches  in  the  city  were  indebted  to 
him  for  trained  singers  who  had  received  their  tuition  at 
one  time  or  another  in  the  free  Conservatory  of  Music  of- 
fered in  the  experience  furnished  by  his  chorus  choir  in  their 
regular  work  or  special  annual  public  renditions.  The  pub- 
lic spirit  of  the  church  was  manifest  in  its  loyal  support  of 
the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  the  Home  of  the  Friendless,  and  endowed 
and  furnished  room  in  the  German  Deaconess  Hospital  as 
well  as  standing  behind  the  needs  of  Park  Memorial  and 
kindred  weaker  sister  churches  in  the  city. 

Of  distinguished  visitors,  the  Manse  had  the  honor  to 
entertain  a  cousin  of  the  pastor,  Dr.  Harvey  W.  Wiley,  U.  S. 

163 


Chemist  and  later  of  Pure  Food  fame.  Dr.  Hunter  Corbett, 
a  foreign  missionary  of  fifty  years  service  and  Moderator  of 
the  General  Assembly,  conducted  the  Sabbath  services  and 
delighted  the  family  and  all  who  met  him,  with  his  genial 
spirit  and  inspiration  for  Christian  Service. 

Statistics  as  to  the  growth  of  the  Church,  reception  of 
members,  officers  elected  and  other  events  of  interest  dur- 
ing the  period  of  my  ministry,  can  be  obtained  from  the  min- 
utes of  session.    Of  these  I  have  no  memoranda. 

My  pastorate  closed  in  the  late  fall  of  1900  when  I  re- 
ceived a  call  to  the  grea  tHome  Mission  Church  of  Wau- 
sau,  Wisconsin.  This  church  gave  opportunity  for  new 
lines  of  activity  in  its  broad  scope  of  domestic  missions 
and  claimed  the  pastor's  utmost  measure  of  energy  and  di- 
rection for  eight  years,  up  to  its  semi-centennial — a  fitting 
climax  for  his  work. 


CHAPTER  X. 
REV.  CHARLES  S.  NICKERSON,  D.  D. 

Charles  S.  Nickerson  was  born  in  Ohio,  both  his  ances- 
tors being  from  Plymouth  Colony.  He  was,  therefore,  of  un- 
mixed American  blood.  His  mother  had  five  ancestors  on 
the  Mayflower,  including  Captain  Standish  and  John  and 
Priscilla  Alden.  .  One  of  his  father's  three  Mayflower  ances- 
tors, Stephen  Hopkins,  in  1622,  was  granted  a  license  to 
make  and  sell  all  the  beer  in  the  Colony  for  three  years.  Mr. 
Nickerson  adds,  so  far  as  he  could  learn,  he  was  the  first 
licensed  saloonkeeper  in  America. 

Mr.  Nickerson  graduated  from  Union  Theological  Sem- 
inary, New  York.  He  served  the  Church  of  Greenport,  New 
York,  1887-1889,  Waukesha,  Wis.,  1889-1892 ;  Racine,  Wis., 
1892-1901,  before  coming  to  Evansville. 

While  pastor  of  the  Walnut  Street  Church  he  was  hon- 
ored with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  by  Marietta  Col- 
lege in  1904.  He  came  to  Evansville  in  1901  and  remained 
until  1907.  The  church  had  then  about  500  members  and  an 
excellent  chorus  choir  under  Prof.  Tinker. 

He  had  one  son,  Harold,  who  is  now  in  business  in 
Shreveport,  Louisiana,  married,  and  with  one  daughter. 

He  was  a  scholarly  man  of  wide  culture.  There  was  no 
science  which  he  could  not  correctly  and  eff'ectively  use  in 
illustration.  His  interpretation  of  Scripture  was  original 
and  instructive,  and  his  exposition  of  Sabbath  School  les- 
sons to  teachers  was  an  intellectual  and  spiritual  treat  and 
most  helpful  and  inspiring. 

16,4 


He  was  a  mechanical  genius,  resting  his  mind  by  man- 
ual labor  in  a  shop  at  the  parsonage.  He  had  invented  a 
typewriter,  giving  visible  writing,  for  his  own  use  and  was 
advised  by  Racine  friends  to  patent  it  and  manufacture. 
He  was  given  three  months'  leave  of  absence  to  perfect  the 
scheme.  When  he  left  Evansville  he  went  to  Chicago  to  work 
on  the  model  and  push  the  manufacture,  feeling  a  respon- 
sibility to  the  Racine  friends  who  had  invested  money  in  it. 
However,  he  preached  in  nearby  vacant  churches  frequently. 

In  1913  he  returned  to  Racine,  to  his  old  church,  which 
had  been  so  unwilling  to  give  him  up  to  Walnut  Street,  and 
has  now  rounded  out  fifteen  years  of  acceptable  service 
there. 

While  in  Evansville  he  became  convinced,  on  account  of 
the  problem  of  the  downtown  church  and  the  proximity  of 
Walnut  Street  to  Grace  Church,  that  a  union  with  Grace 
Church  was  desirable  and  he  urged  the  union;  but  a  vote 
of  the  congregation  revealed  a  strong  sentiment  for  remain- 
ing a  separate  organization  in  the  present  edifice.  A  strong 
factor  in  this  sentiment  was  the  condition  of  union,  the 
abandonment  of  the  old  Walnut  Street  Church,  so  dear  to 
their  hearts. 

CHAPTER  XI. 
REV.  JOHN  KENNEDY,  D.  D. 

Dr.  John  Kennedy  was  born  in  Perth,  Scotland,  May 
25th,  1866  and  apprenticed  to  a  printer  in  his  youth.  In- 
vited by  his  uncle  to  learn  farming  with  him  at  Montrose, 
Iowa,  he  sailed  for  America  in  April,  1884,  in  the  good  ship, 
State  of  Georgia,  which  made  the  trip  in  fifteen  days. 

He  farmed  about  three  years,  during  which  time  he  was 
converted,  in  1885,  and  he  says,  "for  a  year  argued  religion 
with  Joe  Ritter,  an  agnostic,  which  made  him  a  progressive 
in  theology."  He  was  graduated  from  Parsons  College  in 
1892,  "in  its  high  and  palmy  days,  when  three  stars  of  the 
first  magnitude  adorned  the  educational  sky  of  Iowa:  Pro- 
fessors Wilson,  Harkness  and  Johnson."  He  graduated  from 
Auburn  Theological  Seminary  in  1896  and  the  same  year 
was  ordained  and  installed  in  a  little  church  in  Wayne  Co., 
Pa.,  later  called  to  Mt.  Clemens,  Mich.,  in  1900  and  Wal- 
nut Street  in  1907.  He  has  been  three  years  in  the  Imman- 
uel  Church  of  Tacoma,  Washington,  where  he  was  called 
from  Evansville. 

In  1914  the  degree  of  D.  D.  was  conferred  upon  him 
by  his  Alma  Mater,  Parsons  College.  He  was  moderator  of 
the  Synod  of  Indiana  at  Delphi  about  the  same  time  and 
delegate  to  the  General  Assembly  at  Atlanta. 


He  had  a  strong  Scotch  accent  and  brusque  manner, 
was  a  student  of  the  best  literature  (his  reading-  of  Burns 
being  in  great  demand)  and  an  intellectual  preacher,  with 
forceful  delivery.  He  took  always  a  deep  interest  in  civic 
affairs  and  was  prominent  in  an  effort  to  close  vice  resorts. 

It  was  his  war  work  which  made  him  best  known  and 
loved  in  the  city.  At  the  beginning  of  the  World  War  he 
took  a  strong  stand  against  Germany  and  read  and  preach- 
ed much  on  questions  involved,  his  eloquent  speeches  at- 
tracting attention.  He  was  the  foremost  of  the  four  min- 
ute speakers  and  was  the  honor  guest  at  a  farewell  banquet 
at  the  McCurdy  Hotel,  given  by  the  Chamber  of  Commerce 
and  war  workers  associated  with  him  in  various  campaigns, 
a  most  remarkable  tribute  to  the  esteem  in  which  he  was 
held  in  the  city.  Catholics,  Jews  and  representatives  of 
all  denominations  delighting  to  do  him  honor.  On  the  pre- 
sentation of  a  gold  watch,  his  reply  was  characteristically 
witty  and  greeted  with  applause. 

He  was  much  interested  in  the  campaign  for  the  erec- 
tion of  a  Methodist  College  in  Evansville  and  was  an  enthu- 
siastic canvasser  for  funds.  During  his  pastorate,  by  the 
development  of  suburbs,  Walnut  Street  became  more  and 
more  a  downtown  church  with  its  attendant  problems,  so 
did  not  grow  in  numbers,  but  held  its  own  in  usefulness  and 
influence. 

During  his  pastorate,  Dr.  George  F.  Pentecost,  a  re- 
vivalist of  note,  and  as  a  boy  a  resident  of  Evansville,  was 
invited  to  deliver  a  series  of  sermons,  which  he  did  with 
great  power,  A  Mens  Brotherhood,  the  Abrek  and  Emily 
Orr-Westminster  Circles,  had  their  beginning  at  this  time. 

Mr.  Kennedy's  pastorate,  following  immediately  that  of 
Dr.  Nickerson,  whose  pastorate  had  ended  with  the  failure 
to  unite  Walnut  with  Grace,  presented  a  rather  difficult 
situation.  He  became  friendly  with  Dr.  Wiggington,  pas- 
tor of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and,  through 
his  influence,  Walnut  was  invited  to  unite  with  Cumberland. 
This  proposition,  like  the  one  formerly  made  by  Grace,  con- 
templated the  abandonment  of  Walnut,  its  membership  to 
be  transferred  to  the  other  church.  The  union  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church,  U.  S.  A.  with  the  Presbyter- 
ian Church,  U.  S.  A.,  had  resulted  in  three  Presbyterian 
churches  within  a  few  blocks  on  Second  Street,  an  undesir- 
able congestion  which  it  seemed  the  part  of  wisdom  to  rec- 
tify. But  the  members  of  Walnut  Street  were  faced  by 
an  embarrassing  situation.    There  had  been  a  feeling  on  the 

166 


part  of  some  in  Grace  Church  that  failure  of  Wahiut  to 
unite  with  them  had  been  an  unfriendly  act,  so  of  course  it 
would  not  have  done,  so  shortly  afterwards  to  accept  an  in- 
vitation from  First  Cumberland.  So  the  Session  of  Walnut, 
in  replying  to  the  invitation  referred  to  this  situation  and 
informed  the  Session  of  First  Cumberland  that  any  nego- 
tiation towards  union  was  a  matter  to  be  taken  up  by  the 
three  churches  in  friendly  conference  (this  letter  was  pub- 
lished in  the  daily  newspapers).  However,  an  invitation 
at  that  time  being  made  by  the  officers  of  Grace  Church  for 
the  First  Cumberland  to  unite  with  them,  the  two  churches 
took  favorable  action  on  the  proposition  and  Walnut  was  not 
consulted  or  included — -the  membership  being  transferred 
as  a  whole  to  Grace  Memorial  and  Walnut  bravely  faced  her 
problem  of  a  down-town  church  with  a  scattered  field,  but 
with  the  belief  that  in  Christ's  name  she  could  still  minister 
to  souls  of  men. 


CHAPTER  XH. 
REV.  LESLILE  G.  WHITCOMB. 

For  months  following  Dr.  Kennedy's  ministry,  the 
church  was  without  a  pastor ;  however,  the  activities  of  the 
congregation  continued — carried  on  by  the  momentum  of 
ninety-seven  years  of  consecrated  effort. 

History  repeated  itself :  a  sincere,  earnest  worker  from 
the  west  appeared  but,  for  reasonable  reasons,  the  feeling 
was  "the  Lord  hath  not  chosen  this' ;  an  interesting  one  from 
the  south  and  a  spirited  one  from  the  north  gained  the  at- 
tention of  the  church  members,  but,  the  thought  was  still — 
"neither  hath  the  Lord  chosen  these." 

A  congregational  meeting  in  despair,  mentally  and  from 
the  heart  cried — "Are  here  all  from  whom  we  may  choose?" 
Dr.  James  G.  K.  McClure,  President  of  McCormick  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  responding  to  a  Macedonian  call,  came 
to  the  rescue  by  sending  one  of  the  graduating  class  of  1919. 
The  scholarly,  earnest,  inspiring  presentation  of  Romans 
1:14-16  as  a  text,  won  every  heart.  The  Lord  to  each  one 
seemed  to  say — "Call  him.  This  is  he."  Unanimously, 
Walnut  Street  Church  decided  to  invite  the  Rev.  Leslie  G. 
Whitcomb  of  South  Bend,  Indiana  to  become  its  minister. 

On  the  part  of  the  young  man  of  thirty  and  his  wife — 
formerly  Miss  Freda  Kriewitz — to  whom  he  was  married 
August  the  twentieth,  1918,  there  was — at  the  time  of  de- 
cision— much  hesitation.  The  conscientious  couple,  en- 
grossed in  duty  of  that  nature,  had  planned  constructive 

167 


Rev.  Leslie  G.  Whitcomb. 


Its 


work  along  institutional  lines  in  a  Chicago  church.  "But" 
said  Mr.  Whitcomb  "we  will  consider  letting  the  Lord  lead 
us  where  He  will."  Of  this  beloved  son  of  his  ministry,  the 
fatherly  Dr.  McClure,  with  his  exceptional  insight  into  hu- 
man character,  wrote  "Mr.  Whitcomb  is  profoundly  im- 
pressed by  the  kindness  of  your  people  and  by  the  oppor- 
tunity of  the  church.  He  is  humble  in  view  of  all  that  is 
involved  in  the  situation.  He  questions  his  ability  to  meet 
the  opportunities  and  expectations  of  the  church  as  he  feels 
they  should  be  met.  I  believe  he  is  capable  of  meeting  your 
needs.  He  is  far  better  prepared  to  take  up  your  work 
than  is  the  usual  student,  just  graduating  from  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary." 

Worthy  of  serious  consideration  is  the  reflection  of 
Mr.  Whitcomb,  "Already  I  have  been  impressed  time  and 
time  again,  with  God's  opening  and  shutting  of  doors 
of  work.  From  my  youth,  I  have  been  surrounded,  in  my 
home,  by  a  religious  atmospherre.  Ever  before  me  is  the 
picture  of  a  mother  solicitous  for  my  spiritual  welfare  and 
the  example  of  a  Godly  father,  zealous  in  every  good  work." 

"I  felt  the  call  of  the  West  to  California  and  a  fruit 
ranch — but  God  called  me  to  evangelistic  service  as  a  singer, 
under  the  direction  of  the  Los  Angeles  Bible  Institute.  It  was 
during  this  period  that  I  felt  the  urgent  call  to  the  gospel 
ministry.  Although  my  father  was  only  too  willing  to  sup- 
ply my  financial  needs,  I  felt  I  could  not  accept  his  assist- 
ance unreservedly — and,  in  my  human  weakness,  thought 
that  the  door  was  surely  closed  because  of  the  lack  of  funds 
to  secure  the  necessary  college  and  Theological  Seminary 
education.    Again  God  opened  the  door  of  opportunity." 

"I  entered  Hanover  College  in  1912 — supplying  a 
church  at  Burrows,  Indiana,  during  the  summer  of  1914, 
where  I  was  urged  to  continue  throughout  the  year.  It 
seemed  unwise  to  decline  the  offer  and  I  transferred  to  Wa- 
bash College  where  I  was  graduated  in  1916.  The  pastorate 
of  a  South  Chicago  church  to  be  developed  along  institu- 
tional lines  was  mine  during  my  training  in  the  Seminary. 
The  door  was  closed  again  upon  a  work  to  which  Mrs.  Whit- 
comb and  I  had  decided  to  consecrate  ourselves:  the  Lord 
opened  the  door  to  service  in  this  grand  old  church  of  tra- 
dition." 

Mr.  Whitcomb  was  too  modest  to  tell  of  High  School 
honor  as  an  orator  and  debater.  He  did  not  mention  the 
significance  of  the  key  he  wears.  Silently  and  elocjuently 
it  bears  the  message  of  which  one  may  justly  be  proud — 
Phi  Beta  Kappa  scholarship  honors  from  Wabash  College. 

169 


The  contact  of  the  deeply  rooted,  study,  steady,  long- 
existent  Walnut  Street  Church  and  the  impulsive,  efficient, 
stirring,  always-ready-to-be-led-by-the-Lord  Mr.  Whitcomb 
has  been  mutually  helpful  and  beneficial, 

A  visitor,  hearing  the  first  sermon — "I  am  debtor  to  the 
Roman  and  the  Barbarian  *  *  *  =i=  j  ^j^-,  j^q^  ashamed 
of  the  gospel  of  Christ,"  said,  "Prepare  for  jolts.  Pad  your 
old-fashioned  ideas.  He  will  save  the  boys.  They  adore 
live-M^ires.  I  know  whereof  I  speak."  The  jolts  have  come, 
but  there  have  been  no  casualties. 

Some  see  visions ;  others  dream  dreams.  In  his  enthu- 
siasm and  zeai,  Mr.  Whitcomb  dreamed  of  his  cherished  con- 
structive work  as  the  result  of  the  union  of  old  Walnut  and 
young  Washington  Avenue  churches.  The  proposition  caused 
great  opposition  and  consequent  defeat,  but  Mr.  Whitcomb 
met  the  keen  disappointment  in  a  soldierly  way,  accepting 
the  situation  as  one  of  God's  closed  doors,  and,  undaunted, 
sought  an  open  door  for  usefulness. 

Always  impatient  to  be  "about  his  Father's  business," 
he  has  never  failed  to  manifest  a  sweet,  cheerful,  sanguine 
spirit  even  under  the  weight  of  discouragement.  In  his 
lexicon,  there  are  no  such  words  as  ccoi't  or  fail.  If  funds 
are  not  adequate  to  supply  the  equipment  necessary  for  work 
with  his  boys,  he  puts  his  skillful  hand  to  his  tools  to  build 
— or  make  what  he  wants.  His  avocation  has  been  a  power 
not  only  for  the  church  and  the  young  people  but  for  him- 
self, since  it  serves  as  an  outlet  for  exuberant  spirit.  He 
has  been  an  aristocrat  in  the  true  sense  of  the  word — "one 
who  performs  a  common  task  in  a  superior  way." 

All  who  really  know  and  understand  Mr.  Whitcomb, 
love  him — especially  the  boys  and  the  mother  of  the  boys. 
He  has  "measured  up"  to  Dr.  McClure's  estimate  of  him. 
His  first  sermon,  after  he  became  pastor  of  the  church,  has 
been  magnetic:  "If  your  heart  is  to  my  heart  as  my  heart 
is  to  your  heart,  give  me  thine  hand." 

Mr.  Whitcomb  and  Mrs.  Whitcomb — and  their  two  chil- 
dren : — Leslie  Calvin  and  Mary  Jane — are  here.  It  is  hoped 
that  their  chapter  in  the  history  of  the  church,  will  be  a 
long,  and  as  it  promises  to  be,  a  successful  one.  His  friends 
trust  that — not  only  to  the  end  of  the  Evansville  chapter,  but 
to  the  completion  of  ministerial  work,  Dr,  McClure's  words 
— in  regard  to  Mr,  Whitcomb — may  be  a  constant  benedic- 
tion :  "May  it  be  well  with  the  young  man,  I  am  desirous  that 
he  continue  to  grow  in  himself  and  in  his  influence  for  many 
years  to  come," 

Mary  P,  Gilchrist. 

170 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


SOME  PROMINENT  MEMBERS. 


OUR  ROLL  OF  HONOR. 

"Whom  the  Lord  loveth  He  chasteneth." 
Mrs.  Charles  Kimley  Mrs,  India  Withey 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Forgy  Miss  Eloise  Copeland 

Dr.  Edwin  Walker 

"They  also  serve  who  only  stand  and  wait." 

Memory  brings  to  all  of  us  the  names  and  faces  of  oth- 
ers, too  numerous  to  mention.  These  now  I  would  bring 
into  the  circle  of  our  fellowship — these,  unnamed  and  un- 
sung, who  were  faithful  here  in  loving  unremembered  serv- 
ice and  have  gained  recognition  and  reward  in  the  Master's 
"Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant.  Enter  thou  into  the 
ioy  of  the  Lord." 

IN  MEMORIAM. 


MR.  J.  N.  McCOY. 

Promptly  on  his  arrival  in  Evansville 
as  paymaster  of  the  L.  &  N.  R.  R.,  Mr. 
McCoy  identified  himself  with  the  Wal- 
nut Street  Presbyterian  Church,  where 
his  exemplary  life  and  genial  disposi- 
tion was  an  inspiration  to  the  young 
people  of  the  church  in  whom  he  was  al- 
ways greatly  interested. 

As  teacher  of  a  large  class  of  young 
men  in  the  Sunday  School  and  as  advisor 
to  the  Young  People's  Society  of  Chris- 
tian Endeavor,  he  came  into  close  con- 
tact with  the  young  people  and  by  his  whole-hearted  in- 
terest in  their  social  as  well  as  spiritual  life,  won  their  con- 
fidence and  regard  and  encouraged  their  hearty  co-operation 
in  the  services  and  activities  of  the  church. 

H.  J.  Pfafflin. 

171 


MR.  ROBERT  SMITH. 

Comparisons  are  invidious.  Especial- 
ly in  a  session  of  such  splendid  men  as 
the  pastor  of  Walnut  Street  church 
could  claim  to  assist  him  in  his  work  and 
yet  none  would  begrudge  the  honor  due 
Elder  Robert  Smith.  His  fidelity  and 
efficiency  as  he  represented  the  session 
and  the  church  on  many  occasions  in 
Presbytery  was  remarkable. 

I  shall  never  forget  the  earnest  and 
forceful  address  he  made  in  behalf  of 
Ministerial  Relief,  impressing  all  who 
heard  him  with  his  thorough  knowledge  and  sympathy  for 
the  men  for  whom  he  pleaded.  His  business  life  brought 
him  in  touch  with  occasions  and  scenes  of  heart  break  and 
sorrow  and  here  again  his  tenderness  and  large  hearted 
sympathy  served  to  make  smooth  the  pathway  of  the  af- 
flicted tha':  they  might  lean  on  him  as  a  friend  and  a 
brother. 

Samuel  N.  Wilson. 


SAMUEL  W.  LITTLE. 

S.  W.  Little  served  as  an  Elder  of 
this  church  for  a  period  of  thirteen 
years  and  was  much  beloved  by  the 
members  of  the  Session  as  well  as  by 
all  who  knew  him.  The  outstanding 
characteristic  of  his  life  was  his  quiet, 
unassuming  manner  and  an  exempli- 
iication  of  a  strong  Christian  char- 
acter, with  an  abiding  faith  in  Al- 
mighty God.  He  believed  that  the 
Presbyterian  Church  was  the  great- 
est religious  organization  in  the 
world  and  had  a  superior  knowledge 
of  its  history  and  doctrines.  So  well 
versed  was  he  in  technical  matters 
relating  to  church  government,  that 
his  advice  was  often  sought  by  his  pastor  and  the  Session, 
and  he  was  frequently  referred  to  as  our  "Church  Lawyer." 
His  voice  was  always  raised  in  behalf  of  peace  and  concord 
whenever  there  was  the  slightest  suspicion  of  discord  in  any 
phase  of  church  work.    He  was  kind,  humble  and  generous. 

172 


He  gave  much  of  his  time  and  money  to  every  worthy  cause 
in  the  community.  He  rendered  financial  aid  to  many  young 
men  who  were  struggling  to  get  a  start  in  a  professional  or 
business  career,  and  found  great  joy  in  searching  out  poor 
boys  whose  habits  and  industry  warranted  them  as  being 
worthy  of  help.  As  a  co-worker  and  as  one  who  knew  him 
intimately  and  well,  I  am  pleased  to  pay  this  tribute  to  this 
exemplary  man. 

M.  H.  LOCKYEAR. 


James  L.  Orr, 

There  fell  a  prince,  a  man  with  a  pull 
like  a  plant.  Some  men  are  appraised  at 
the  first  meeting  and  others  reveal 
heights  and  depths,  as  time  goes  on. 
Some  are  like  steel  engravings,  very  in- 
teresting; others  are  like  paintings  in 
oil  by  the  masters. 

About  fifty  miles  from  us  is  the  great 
mountain  Rainier,  towering  15,000  feet 
above  the  sea  level,  bearing  on  its 
bosom,  seven  glaciers,  a  sublime  mon- 
arch of  the  Cascades,  "companion  of  the 
morning  star,  at  dawn  and  of  dawn  a  herald.'  '  No  one  has 
lived  long  enough  to  outlive  his  wonder,  when  it  rests  on 
his  view.  Old  men  still  gaze  upon  it  with  the  wonder  of  boy- 
hood. 

James  L.  Orr  was  not  quickly  appraised.  It  was  my 
privilege  to  associate  with  him  for  eleven  years,  to  council 
with  him  in  the  Session,  to  observe  his  scrupulous  oversight 
of  all  matters,  his  painstaking  care  of  all  the  flock.  His  re- 
ception of  new  members  was  an  event.  There  was  a  gravity 
befitting  the  occasion,  yet  a  kindliness  and  a  deep  felt  joy 
that  communicated  itself  to  all  as  he  extended  the  hand  of 
fellowship  and  bade  the  new  convert  look  to  Christ  and  at 
all  times  make  full  use  of  the  church.  Did  ever  man  enjoy 
making  others  happy  more  than  he?  He  naturally  loved 
folks.  The  list  of  members  was  like  a  romance  to  him.  The 
names  brought  up  faces  and  biography,  playground,  camp 
and  sacrament. 

One  shrinks  from  a  mention  of  his  charities.  He  was 
Charity.  His  liberality  abounded.  It  was  a  vital  element  of 
his  being.  It  was  not  so  much  that  he  did  liberal  things, 
dispensed  of  his  goods,  he  was  Liberality — in  spirit. 

173 


It  was  a  great  voyage  of  discovery,  this  pastorate  in  as- 
sociation with  Mr.  Orr.  I  discovered  a  granite  mountain, 
towering  into  the  heaven  of  his  faith,  lofty  principles,  se- 
rene, even  severe,  and  the  explorer  discovered  among  its 
grandeurs,  beautiful  valleys,  fair  as  Paradise,  watered  by 
cool  fountains,  where  flowers  bloomed  in  profusion  in  the 
cool  of  the  evening,  angels  visited  these  haunts  and  the 
breath  of  heaven  lingered  among  them. 

He  reminded  me  of  the  Westminster  Confession  of 
Faith  in  his  passion  for  order  and  system,  his  veneration, 
dignity  and  solemnity.  More  frequently  he  suggested  the 
Twenty-third  Psalm  and  at  the  Sacrament  it  was  Revelation 
Twenty-second  He  has  moved  out  into  his  own  great  or- 
bit of  light  and  immensity.  There  are  those  too  young  to 
remember  him,  who  will  yet  swing  into  that  firmament  of 
Christian  fellowship  drawn  thither  by  a  force  invisible  and 
irresistable.    They  will  be  stars  in  his  crown. 


Tacoma,  Wash. 


John  Kennedy. 


MRS  SAMUEL  BAYARD. 

Possessed  of  rare  social  and  intellec- 
tual powers  from  her  girlhood  days,  as 
Miss  Martha  Orr,  to  her  ripened  wo- 
manhood she  occupied  a  prominent  place 
in  the  religious  and  social  life  of  Evans- 
ville.  Her  home  was  a  hospitable  cen- 
ter, where  all  her  friends  loved  to  meet. 
She  was  always  the  willing  and  capable 
helper,  whenever  sickness  or  sorrow  or 
charity  made  its  appeal.  Her  church, 
lier  charitable  societies,  her  Bayard 
Park  were  all  close  to  her  heart. 
Her  modesty,  reserve  and  serene  dignity  only  served 
to  emphasize  her  deep  sympathy  and  kindliness. 

At  her  death,  she  left  a  legacy  of  $5,000  to  this  church, 
so  dear  to  her  heart,  the  interest  of  which  was  to  be  used 
to  defray  deficiencies  or  provide  for  improvements. 


A  Friend. 


174 


MRS.  LIZZIE  SHANKLIN. 

A  sweet,  dainty  combination  of  seem- 
ingly contractictory  characteristics.  "oT 
know  her  was  to  love  her." 

So  frail  and  delicate,  yet  so  strong- 
when  shut-ins  and  strangers  needed  her, 
when  friends  wanted  her,  when  the  var- 
ious services  of  the  church  called  her. 
What  might  be  chtirch  duty  to  some  was 
always  a  pleasure  to  her.  Society  func- 
tions, that  she  loved  but  always  placed 
second  to  her  church,  were  never  com- 
plete without  her.  She  was  beloved  by 
young  and  old. 

A  rare  personality — our  dear  Mrs.  Shanklin.  "Serene- 
ly she  walked  with  God's  benediction  upon  her.  When  she 
had  passed  it  seemed  like  the  ceasing  of  exquisite  music." 

Mary  P.  Gilchrist. 


A  Groui3   of  Active  Members 


MRS.  ROBERT  SMITH.  | 

So  woven  into  the  pattern  of  Walnut  Street  Church 
is  the  life  of  Mrs.  Robt.  Smith,  nee  Anna  Farrell,  that  it 
would  be  impossible  to  separate  the  design  of  any  one  ac- 
tivity. Threads — rich  and  substantial — of  intense  love, 
keen  and  intelligent  interest,  indefatigable  energy  run 
through  the  Sunday  School,  the  Missionary  Society,  Prayer 
Meeting,  every  church  service  . 

One  pastor  said,  "She  has  helped  preach  more  sermons 
than  she  knows,  for  she  has  given  the  support  of  alert,  ex- 
pressive, interested,  sympathetic  listening." 

Could  one  read  in  the  fabric  her  song,  it  would  be : 

"I  love  Thy  Church,  0  God, 
Her  walls  before  Thee  stand. 
For  her  my  tears  shall  fall. 
For  her  my  prayers  ascend. 
To  her  my  toils  and  care  be  given. 
Till  toil  and  care  shall  end." 

Mary  P.  Gilchrist. 

175 


MRS.  JAMES  CUTLER. 

Among  the  many  women  of  precious 
service  in  the  Church  in  its  varied  ac- 
tivities, we  believe  no  finer,  more  effi- 
cient Missionary  Treasurer  could  be 
found  than  Mrs.  Culler,  to  whom  in  so- 
cial g-athering  when  some  delinquent  sis- 
ter confessed,  "I  believe  I  am  indebted 
to  the  Society,  but  T  don't  know  how 
much,"  to  which  the  prompt  reply  came, 
"I  know,"  as  the  alert  Treasurer  pro- 
duced her  memorandum  and  book  wi';!! 
its  suggestion  for  immediate  liquida- 
tion. 


S.  N.  Wilson. 


MRS.  EMILY  SULLIVAN  DALZELL. 

Among  the  members  whose  names 
form  the  history  of  Walnut  St.  Presby- 
terian Church,  I  can  think  of  no  one, 
who  so  deserves  praise  for  her  stead- 
fastness over  a  period  of  iifty-eight 
years. 

Generous  and  sympathetic  by  nature, 
her  counsel  and  assistance  have  been 
claimed  by  many  less  fortunate.  For 
years  she  was  the  distributor  of  the 
Benevolence  Fund  of  the  church,  by  per- 
sonal visit,  ascertaining  the  need  and 
supplying  it  secretly  in  the  name  of  the  church.  All  the 
womens'  societies  have  depended  on  her  help  in  the  years 
that  are  gone,  the  Aid,  the  Missionary  Society  and  the  Sab- 
bath School  Through  association  with  her  many  have  learn- 
ed the  beauty  of  sacrifice  and  love. 

Her  loyalty  to  friends  and  church  and  her  unswerving 
faith  in  God,  strong  traits  of  her  character,  abide  with  her 
still. 

May  she  be  long  spared  to  the  old  church  she  has  loved 
and  served  so  well. 


Susan  Garvin. 


176 


MR.  WALTER  L.  SULLIVAN. 

The  Session  gladly  gives  Mr.  Sullivan 
the  respect  due  an  elder  brother  ruling 
for  27  years.  His  unswerving  faith  in 
the  reality  of  religion,  his  loyalty  to  the 
church  and  his  optimism  make  him  a 
helpful  and  revered  member. 

He  refused  recently  the  honorary  title 
of  Superintendent  Emeritus  of  the  Sun- 
day School,  preferring  that  of  substi- 
tute, saying  "he  did  not  intend  to  be  put 
on  the  shelf."  And  today  he  is  one  of 
the  busiest  persons,  present,  every  Sab- 
bath. There  is  no  department  which  does  not  receive  his 
help  and  encouragement.  As  a  teacher  he  is  ready  to  take 
any  class,  or  become  an  interested  learner  in  the  Adult  Bible 
Class.  To  him  the  Bible  is  a  rich  storehouse  and  the  Sun- 
day School  a  life  school. 

By  his  devotion,  by  his  faithfulness  and  by  his  unselfish 
efforts  for  all,  he  has  endeared  himself  to  young  and  old  and 
is  today  the  most  honored  member  of  the  school. 

John  N.  Culver. 


BYRON  PARSONS. 

The  Senior  Elder  of  the  church  after 
thirty-nine  years  of  service,  retains  his 
youthful  spirit,  which  enables  him  to 
claim  the  distinction  of  being  neither  old 
nor  young. 

If  one  considered  the  years,  he  would 
turn  back  to  the  pages  just  after  the 
Civil  War  and  read  that  this  faithful 
member  of  Walnut  Street  Church  had 
come,  (with  his  estimable  wife)  from 
New  York  to  Evansville.  Patriotic  in 
the  extreme  during  all  the  intervening 
time,  he  has  not  been  ashamed  of  his  part  in  the  struggle 
of  the  GO'S. 

School  children  and  older  friends  will  always  remem- 
ber with  pleasure  his  enthusiasm.  His  graceful,  masterful, 
soldierly  attitude  toward  the  advance  of  the  years  is  most 
worthy  of  commendation  and  should  be  an  example  for  all. 
May  he  live  long— the  genial  Major  Parsons! 


Mary  P.  Gilchrist. 


177 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

ACTIVITIES  OF  THE  CHURCH  DURING  THE  CIVIL 
WAR. 

A  vivid  picture  of  the  loyal  support  of  the  church  dur- 
ing the  dark  days  of  the  Civil  War,  1861-1865  is  given  in  the 
following  letters,  written  to  a  member  of  the  church,  serving 
in  the  army.  "Feb.  28,  1862.  We  have  any  quantity  of 
sick  and  wounded  soldiers  here  now,  a  boat  having  just 
arrived  from  the  South.  The  Marine  Hospital  is  nearly  full 
and  they  are  preparing  the  old  City  Hotel,  of  which  Dr.  Mor- 
gan is  to  have  charge  with  Mrs.  Woolsey  for  1st  Lieutenant, 
a  good  assistant,  (both  of  Walnut  St.)  The  ladies  have 
plenty  of  employment  in  visiting  the  first  one  and  prepar- 
ing things  for  the  patients  to  eat,  in  finding  fault  with  Dr. 
Pennington  and  rowing  up  the  officers  generally.  From  the 
baskets  that  are  taken  one  would  suppose  a  regiment  of  well 
men  could  be  fed.  We  have  been  busy  all  day  sewing  for 
the  soldiers  at  the  hospital,  making  sheets  and  pillow  cases 
of  which  they  were  much  in  need,  and  the  Young  Ladies' 
Society  finds  occupation  for  time  and  fingers,  too." 

Picking  lint  is  a  tiresome  occupation,  but  they  seem  to 
require  quantities  of  it.  (Lint  consisted  of  the  ravellings  of 
linen  cloth,  used  to  stanch  wounds.) 

"Oct.,  1863.  There  is  nothing  in  the  way  of  news,  only 
our  singers  are  preparing  for  a  concert  in  a  week  or  two, 
I  believe,  for  the  benefit  of  the  soldiers'  wives. 

Mr.  Russell  is  the  leader  (he  was  then  leader  of  the 
choir) .  They  meet  almost  every  evening  and  between  that 
and  the  various  hospitals,  our  friend,  Mrs.  Gilbert's  time  is 
pretty  well  occupied  day  and  night,  and  I  being  her  right- 
hand  man,  we  do  not  spend  much  time  at  home." 

There  is  one  from  the  minister,  Rev.  Wm.  H.  McCarer, 
full  of  patriotic  sentiments  and  incidents  of  service.  "We 
have  now  three  hospitals,  packed  full,  having  over  700  in 
them.  I  preached  in  the  Pennington  Hospital  on  Sabbath 
afternoon  and  never  had  a  more  attentive  audience.  At  the 
close  one  of  the  men  came  to  me  and  with  tears  in  his  eyes, 
said,  'Oh,  if  I  could  hear  you  talk  that  way  a  little  every  day, 
I  thing  it  would  make  me  better.'  I  feel  repaid  for  my  serv- 
ices in  the  attention  of  my  hearers.  Monday  afternoon  I 
spent  visiting  in  the  wards.  I  should  attempt  to  do  a  great 
deal  more  of  it  than  I  do,  but  I  find  when  I  begin  to  visit, 

178 


I  become  so  interested  that  if  I  follow  my  feelings  I  must 
be  there  nearly  all  the  time.  Bro.  S.  does  not  come  to  either 
of  our  prayer  meetings  now.  He  gives  no  reason,  but  I 
conjecture  that  too  many  of  our  prayers  embrace  'those 
who  are  in  the  tented  held' — those  who  have  taken  their 
lives  in  their  hands  to  fight  the  battles  of  their  country  and 
that  this  wicked  rebellion  may  be  crushed  out.'  We  do  re- 
member our  absent  members — we  do  pray  for  our  country, 
but  beyond  this,  there  is  nothing  to  rasp  the  feelings  of 
any." 

Inquiry  brings  out  the  fact  that  Bro.  S.  was  a  Southern 
sympathizer.  A  prying  neighbor  discovering  signs  of  exul- 
tant celebration  on  the  part  of  Bro.  S.  and  his  family — 
behind  closed  doors,  at  the  assassination  of  Lincoln,  reported 
the  same  to  the  neighbors,  who  organized  at  once  and  paint- 
ed the  front  of  the  house  black  with  tar,  that  it  might  as- 
sume the  garb  of  mourning,  as  did  all  the  other  homes  of  the 
neighborhood. 

Walnut  Street  has  kept  no  Roll  of  Honor  of  the  Civil 
War,  but  among  her  volunteers  are  known  to  be :  Gen.  John 
W.  Foster,  Lieut.  Col.  James  Shanklin,  George  Shanklin, 
Capt.  James  L.  Orr,  George  W.  Goodge,  James  Patterson,  C. 
C.  Genung,  leader  of  the  Band ;  Gen.  James  E.  Blythe,  Alex. 
McFerson. 

WORLD  WAR  RECORD— 1914-1918. 

When  our  country  was  plunged  into  war,  the  peaceful 
old  church,  laying  aside  her  usual  pursuits,  threw  all  her 
resources  of  men  and  money  into  the  righteous  cause.  Wal- 
nut Street  has  ever  sought  to  train  and  inspire  men  and  wo- 
men for  leadership.  How  well  they  were  fitted  for  the  need 
of  the  hour,  let  the  following  story  tell. 
Service  Men. 

The  young  men  of  Walnut  Street  Sabbath  School  and 
Church,  wherever  they  might  be,  responded  loyally  to  the 
call  for  service  in  the  World  War  in  1917. 

A  service  flag  presented  by  Mrs.  North  Storms,  of  red 
bunting  with  a  white  star  for  each  man  and  one  for  the 
nurse,  23  in  all,  hung  in  front  of  the  church,  reminding  us,  at 
home,  of  their  willing  sacrifice  of  life  itself,  if  necessary,  in 
the  great  struggle  for  freedom.  We  thank  God  today  that 
this  sacrifice  was  not  asked  of  one  of  our  boys.  After  the 
Armistice,  the  flag  was  taken  down,  solemnly,  with  appro- 
priate ceremonies,  and  given  into  the  care  of  Mrs.  James 
Saunders,  a  war  mother,  for  presentation  in  the  archives 
of  the  church. 

179 


On  the  Honor  Roll  of  Walnut  Street,  for  service  in 
camps,  at  home,  or  abroad,  are  the  names  of  — 


Name  Enlisted 

Edgar  Garvin  Army 

N.  P.  Schriener  Navy 

Edwin  Jung-  Army 

Roy  Bush  Army 

Ernest  Karcher  Army 

W.  E.  Keeney  Army 

W.  P.  Keeney,  Jr.  Army 

Mack  Saunders  Army 

Daniel  Saunders  Army 

Oscar  Hausserman  Army 

Frank  Storms  Navy 

Geo.  Cunningham  Army 

Sam  Thurgood  Army 

Melville  Garvin  Army 


Name 

Enlisted 

Louis  Klein 

Army 

R.  C.  Puckett 

Army 

Carl  Bishop 

Army 

Adolph  Uhl 

Army 

Dean  Smith 

Army 

Harry  Warren 

Army 

Paul  H.  Schmidt 

Navy 

Dr.  G.  C.  Johnson 

Army 

Jack  Spencer,  Jr. 

Army 

Geo.  Clifford,  Jr. 

Army 

Geo.  Copeland 

Army 

H.  E.  McMaster   Y. 

M.  C.  A. 

Catherine  Rehrsteiner 

Red  Cross  3 

RED  CROSS. 

Of  the  ten  signatures  to  the  application  sent  to  Wash- 
ington in  March,  1917,  for  the  organization  of  a  Red  Cross 
Chapter  in  Evansville,  five  were  members  of  Walnut  Street 
Church ;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Samuel  L.  Orr,  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Edwin 
Walker  and  Mrs.  J.  Stuart  Hopkins.  On  the  first  Board  of 
Directors  were  also  Mrs.  George  S.  Clifford,  Mrs.  Henry 
Veach,  Mrs.  Alex.  Gilchrist  and  Miss  Ethel  McCullough. 

Mrs.  Samuel  L.  Orr,  chairman  of  classes  in  first  aid, 
soon  had  three  under  way. 

In  the  first  surgical  dressings  classes,  April  15th,  were 
Mrs.  J.  Stuart  Hopkins,  H.  B.  Veatch,  Samuel  L.  Orr,  George 
S.  Clifford,  Jas.  D.  Saunders,  and  J.  W.  Spencer.  Almost 
the  whole  membership  of  a  recently  organized  circle  of  the 
younger  women  of  Walnut  Street,  called  the  Social  Service 
Club,  enrolled  in  a  Wednesday  class  under  Mrs.  Simms,  Mrs. 
J.  D.  Welman,  Adolph  Geiss,  Herbert  Leich,  L.  P.  Benezet, 
G.  C.  Bedell.  Fred  Miller,  Jr.,  Edward  Weintz,  Jas.  Deakin, 
Misses  Mary  Keeney,  Mary  Owen,  Lorain  Cutler,  Florence 
Dannettell,  Helen  Busse,  Florence  Kiechle  and  Viola  Jung. 

Among  the  other  surgical  workers  were  Mrs.  E.  D. 
Wemyss,  E.  R.  Sheets,  G.  C.  Johnson,  H.  T.  Hardin,  James 
Nugent,  S.  Bohrer.  T.  C.  Bugg,  Harry  Little,  H.  C.  Ruddick, 
Boaz  Crawford,    Misses    Marjory    Heinstein    and  Martha 

180 


Keeney.  In  this  department,  Miss  Florence  Dannettell  was 
long  the  chairman  of  the  wrapping  committee,  Mrs.  Welman 
on  the  packing  and  shipping  committee,  Mrs.  Edward 
Weintz  and  Mrs.  Harry  Little,  lieutenant  instructors.  Mrs. 
Henry  Veatch,  one  of  the  organizers  and  instructors  in  the 
Stanley  Hall  Surgical  Unit. 

The  Hospital  Supplies  Department  was  organized  in 
May,  1917  by  Mrs.  George  Clifford,  Chairman,  and  Mrs.  W. 
H.  Cutler,  Assistant.  The  Ladies'  Aid  of  Walnut  Street 
was  one  of  the  first  five  sewing  unite  to  take  out  sewing; 
the  first  assignment,  sheets  and  pillow  cases. 

When  the  Department  was  given  up  in  June,  1919,  the 
last  twenty  garments  were  taken  out  by  the  Emily  Orr  West- 
minister Circle  of  Walnut  Street.  During  the  two  years  of 
continuous  Red  Cross  activity,  the  Aid  Society,  first  at  the 
church  with  borrowed  machines  and  later  at  the  shop,  sewed 
every  Thursday  afternoon  under  the  leadership  of  Mrs.  M. 
A.  Sheridan,  Mrs.  Alex  Crawford  and  Mrs.  M.  R.  Kirk. 
Among  its  workers  were : 

Mrs.  Mary  Herrenbruck  Mrs.  J.  N.  Culver 

Mrs.  Elwood  Moore  Mrs.  J.  A.  McCarty 

Mrs.  Jennie  Lacey  Mrs.  D.  F.  Norton 

Miss  Emma  Brose  Mrs.  J.  W.  Sappenfield 

Miss  Ruth  Klein  Mrs.  A.  F.  Haven 

Mrs.  H.  C.  Dodson  Mrs.  F.  M.  Frisse 

Mrs.  Willis  M.  Copeland  Miss  Madeline  Howe 

Miss  Eloise  Copeland  Mrs.  Fred  Ruff 

Miss  Mary  Davidson  Mrs.  Susie  Hernstein 

Miss  Henrietta  Davidson  Mrs.  Harry  B.  Greek 

Miss  Anne  Reillv  Miss  Florence  Dannettell 

Mrs.  H.  C.  Ruddick  Mrs.  W.  E.  Wilson 

Mrs.  S.  M.  Rutherford  Mrs.  W.  P.  Keeney 

Mrs.  Ed.  Farrow  Mrs.  Chas.  Leggett 

Miss  Jingling  Mrs.  Downey  Kerr 

Miss  Elizabeth  Sappenfield 

Mrs.  M.  R.  Kirk  was  also  Associate  Chairman  of  Wheel- 
er School  Unit  and  Mrs.  J.  M.  Culver  of  Campbell  Unit.  At 
Headquarters,  Walnut  Street  women  were  among  the  most 
capable  and  faithful  of  Chairman  of  Committees.  Mrs. 
George  S.  Clifford  was  Associate  Chairman  of  the  Shop. 
Mrs.  L.  E.  Karcher  was,  the  first  year,  assistant  on  the  cut- 
ting committee ;  the  second  year,  chairman  of  this  impor- 
tant work,  skillfully  operating  the  electric  cutting  machine. 
Among  our  women  in  this  and  the  assembling  department 
were  Mrs.  Matilda  Russell,  Harry  Greek,  Viola  Jung,  Wm. 

181 


Keeney,  George  Dunlevy,  W.  J.  Torrance,  James  D.  Saun- 
ders, Miss  Blanche  Jung  and  Miss  Henrietta  Davidson. 

As  chairman  of  the  Inspection  Committee,  thousands 
of  garments  were  inspected,  folded  and  tied  into  bundles, 
each  measured  by  rule,  by  Mrs.  Walter  L.  Sullivan  and  her 
assistants,  most  of  them  Walnut  Street  women — Mrs.  S.  W. 
Little,  Sarah  Stewart,  Susan  Brown,  Matilda  Russell  and 
Miss  Henrietta  Davidson.  Among  the  bookkeepers  was  Miss 
Carrie  Mendenhall  and  Mrs.  W.  J.  Torrance. 

Housewives  to  be  presented  to  each  departing  service 
man,  were  first  made  under  the  direction  of  Mrs.  Alexander 
Gilchrist  by  the  Abrek  Club  and  Emily  Orr  Circle.  When 
the  Knitting  Department  was  opened  in  June,  the  following 
volunteered  as  instructors — Mrs.  James  D.  Saunders,  Geo. 
Hodson,  W.  S.  Little,  J.  S.  Hopkins.  Mrs.  George  Dunlevy 
was  on  duty  in  the  yarn  distributing  booth.  What  two  per- 
sistent knitters  could  accomplish  is  shown  in  the  record  of 
Mrs.  Robert  Smith  and  Miss  Alice  Smith  who  made  ovei-  a 
hundred  articles,  most  of  them  pairs.  Among  the  knitters 
were — 

Miss  Lorain  Cutler  Mrs.  D.  F.  Norton 

Mrs.  Ian  C.  Scott  Mrs.  Knowles 
Mrs.  Mary  Herrenbruck         Mrs.  A.  F.  Haven 

Mrs.  Philip  Klein  Mrs.  J.  M.  Culver 

Miss  Emma  Brose  Miss  Mary  Walters 

Miss  Marjorie  Herstein  Miss  Julia  Morgan 

Miss  Mary  White  Miss  Tillie  Dixon 

Mrs.  Elwood  Moore  Miss  Madeline  Howe 

Mrs.  Jennie  Lacey  Miss  Isabelle  Wilson 

Mrs.  Karl  Knecht  Mrs.  Carl  Wolflin 

Mrs.  H.  C.  Dodson  Mrs.  W.  H.  Dyer 

Mrs.  Robt.  Smith  Mrs.  Susie  Herstein 

Miss  Alice  Smith  Mrs.  M.  L.  Lockyear 

Miss  Eloise  Copeland  Mrs.  Frank  Lanoux 

Miss  Mary  Davidson  Mrs.  Ed.  Weintz 

Mrs.  Susan  Brown  Mrs.  I.  C.  Barclay 

m1.?  ^^^r^^Z'^^''''  Mrs.  W.  L.  Sullivan 

Mrs.  H.  C.  Ruddick  ^j       t  t^   ^ 

Mrs.  John  Nugent  ^''^-  ^-  ^-  ^wen 

Mrs.  Kerth  Mrs.  Wheeler 

Miss  Lizzie  Jenner  Miss  Jean  Foster 

Mrs.  J.  A.  McCarty  Mrs.  Donald  French 

The  canteen  department  was  organized  in  August  to 
take  care  of  soldiers  passing  through  Evansville.    Mrs.  Ed- 

182 


gar  Garvin  had  charge  of  courtesy  booths  at  both  railway 
stations.  Among  the  workers  were  Mrs.  E.  D.  Wemyss,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Harry  Little,  Mrs.  W.  H.  Cutler,  Mrs.  A.  L.  Swan- 
son,  O.  T.  Smith,  Boaz  Crawford,  0.  Thurgood,  Jas.  D.  Saun- 
ders, Misses  Ruth  Klein,  Bettye  Saunders,  Jean  Foster, 
Florence  Dannettell,  Blanche  Jung,  Martha  Keeney,  Ann 
Boleman,  Ethel  Camp,  Marion  Archer,  Mrs.  Daniel  Norton, 
Mrs.  M.  A.  Sheridan,  Mr.  Chas.  Clarke,  C.  T.  Bush,  Dan 
Norton  and  M.  A.  Sheridan. 

Mrs.  Paul  Schmidt  organized  the  first  Motor  Corps 
which  was  later  turned  over  to  the  Red  Cross.  Mrs.  Edgar 
Garvin  had  charge  of  flower  and  Christmas  card  sales.  When 
a  Service  Club  was  opened  at  Second  and  Locust  Streets, 
among  the  hostesses  were  Mrs.  L.  E.  Karcher,  George  S. 
Clifford,  Jas.  D.  Saunders,  Daniel  Norton,  Alexander  Gil- 
christ. When  Evansville  was  made  a  shipping  port  for 
Southern  Indiana,  Mrs.  J.  S.  Hopkins  served  as  field  super- 
visor of  the  district. 

Mrs.  Edwin  Walker  had  in  charge  the  purchasing  of 
hospital  emergency  outfits. 


Junior  Red  Cross. 

Mrs.  Henry  B.  Veatch  organized  the  Junior  Red  Cross 
of  1,400  children  and  directed  their  varied  activities,  100 
per  cent  in  public  and  parochial  schools  of  the  city  and 
county.  Mrs.  L.  P.  Benezet  was  Distributing  Director; 
Grace  Kiechle  on  Educational  Committee;  Mrs.  E.  C. 
Graham,  advisory  for  county  schools ;  Miss  Millicent  Atkins, 
Miss  Jean  Foster,  Miss  Jesse  Duboe,  Mrs.  H.  Millspaugh 
were  active  in  their  respective  schools.  Eighteen  Walnut 
Street  women  were  awarded  certificates  for  800  hours  of 
Red  Cross  Service. 

Other  Activities. 

Mrs.  W.  J.  Torrance  was  on  the  Women's  Committee 
of  the  County  Council  of  Defence,  especially  on  food  con- 
servation. Mrs.  Glen  Ogle  and  Miss  Elizabeth  Cowan  were 
in  food  demonstration  work.  Miss  Ethel  McCullough  served 
three  months  in  library  work  on  the  Mexican  border  and 
was  active  in  the  collection  of  books  for  the  camps  there. 

Several  women  made  jelly  for  hospital  and  camps  in 
the  church  kitchen. 

183 


Mrs.  Boaz  Crawford  was  the  first  Secretary  of  the  War 
Mothers,  a  national  organization,  of  which  Mrs.  L.  E. 
Karcher  was  one  of  the  original  signers.  Mrs.  W.  J.  Tor- 
rance and  Miss  Grace  Kiechle  were  four-minute  speakers. 
Mrs.  Samuel  L.  Orr  was  vice-chairman  of  the  Red  Cross 
on  its  organization  and  chairman  of  the  French  Orphan 
Committee  for  twelve  counties  of  Southern  Indiana,  which 
secured  over  800  adoptions  in  this  district. 

Miss  Mary  Keeney  was  student  nurse  for  a  year  and  a 
half  at  Fort  McPherson,  Atlanta,  Ga.  Miss  Katherine 
Rehsteiner  spent  a  year  in  Base  Hospital  No.  14 
at  Bordeaux,  France  and  on  her  return  became  instructor  in 
Home  Hygiene  and  Nursing  in  Evansville,  1919-1920,  start- 
ing such  work  in  the  High  School.  Mrs.  Groh  and  Miss 
Christine  Groh  gave  Y.  W.  service  in  camps.  Mr.  Samuel 
L.  Orr  was  one  of  the  directors  of  Civilian  Relief,  organized 
to  look  after  the  families  of  absent  service  men. 

Dr.  Gardner  Johnson  volunteered  for  medical  service 
and  was  assigned  to  Camp  Custer.  Mr.  H.  C.  McMasters  was 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  Secretary  at  Camp  Benjamin  Harrison,  In- 
dianapolis. 

Mr.  George  S.  Clifford  was  Chairman  of  the  County 
Council  of  Defence  and  Fuel  Administrator  during  the  se- 
vere winter  of  1918-1919,  when  coal  was  scarce  and  light- 
less  nights  a  necessity.  In  these  emergencies,  choir  prac- 
tice and  evening  service  were  given  up,  and  meetings  held 
in  homes.  Although  the  church  cellars  were  well  supplied 
with  coal,  we  felt  the  necessity  of  setting  an  example  of 
saving. 

Mr.  Harry  W.  Little  became  the  Assistant  District 
Representative  of  the  Fuel  Administration  with  the  care  of 
mines  and  shipments  in  Southern  Indiana.  Mr.  B.  F.  Per- 
sons was  Food  Administrator  when  conservation  was  the 
necessity  of  the  land.  Our  women  made  a  study  of  food  sub- 
stitutes and  were  most  willing  to  carry  out  every  suggestion 
of  the  Food  Administrator. 

Both  men  and  women  were  active  m  drives  for  money 
and  generous  in  subscriptions.  Rev.  John  Kennedy,  the 
minister,  set  an  example  of  loyalty  and  preached  and  worked 
with  untiring  zeal.  He  was  one  of  three  members  of  the 
first  four  minute  speakers  and  became  a  leader  of  patriotic 
propaganda  in  the  city  and  county. 

Mr.  Charles  Clarke  was  Chairman  of  the  Committee 
on  distribution  of  bronze  medals  to  returned  service  men  at 
Bosse  Field. 

184 


Mr.  E.  C.  Graham    was  on    the  Vocational    Board    for 
disabled  service  men. 

Mr.  L.  P.  Benezet  and  Miss  Belle  Caffee  were  Advisory 
Chairmen  for  Junior  Red  Cross.  Principal  M.  R.  Kirk  and 
Mr.  J.  M.  Culver  were  active  in  their  respective  schools. 
Boys'  Work. 

Boys  not  old  enough  for  draft  were  urged  to  remain  in 
college  and  prepare  for  possible  future  leadership.  They 
were  enrolled  in  the  S.  A.  T.  C.  and  were  given  military 
training  by  army  instructors  at  their  colleges.  Our  boys 
in  this  service  were: 

Culmer  Leggett  John  Owen 

Malcolm  Baird 

High  School  boys  enlisted  in  the  Boys'  Working  Re- 
serve, and  were  assigned  work  on  the  neighboring  farms, 
bereft  of  adult  workers.  Patriotic  citizens  carried  them 
back  and  forth  in  their  autos,  often  many  miles  to  work. 
Farmers  were  at  first  loath  to  accept  such  help — incredulous 
of  the  boys'  efficiency — but  they  proved  their  earnestness 
by  hoeing  corn  hour  after  hour  until  their  backs  ached,  re- 
warded at  the  end  often  with  a  welcome  dip  in  the  river. 
They  well  deserved  the  bronze  medal  awarded  for  40  hours 
of  labor.    On  this  list  are — 

James  L.  Clifford  John  Owen 

Robert  Leggett  Francis  Owen 

William  Russell  Tom  Keeney 

The  following  boys  earned  ten  dollars  $10.00-  for  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  work  abroad : 

Culmer  Leggett  Vernon  Copeland 

John  Owen  Wm.  E.  Wilson,  Jr. 

Francis  Owen  Sammy  Orr 

Even  the  Babies  helped,  dropping  their  pennies  into  the 
Red  Cross  banks  distributed  by  interested  young  mothers 
of  whom  Mrs.  L.  P.  Benezet  was  one. 

And  what  shall  be  said  of  the  Red  Cross  Roll  Calls  and 
Liberty  Loan  Campaigns,  of  drives  and  enrollments.  Men 
and  women  neglected  their  business  and  homes,  that  there 
should  be  no  lack  of  comforts  and  necessities  for  the  boys 
"over  there." 

Two  years  of  self-denial,  of  altruistic  endeavor,  of  fel- 
lowship in  anxiety  and  suffering,  of  hardship  and  peril — 
shall  this  be  for  naught?  or  shall  there  emerge  out  of  this 
present  chastening  of  the  Lord,  the  peaceable  fruits  of  right- 
eousness to  us,  who  shall  be  exercised  thereby. 

185 


CHAPTER  XV. 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION. 
Invitation. 

"With  the  passing  of  the  year,  Wahiut  Street  Presby- 
terian Church  rounds  out  a  century  of  Christian  ministry. 
To  the  careless,  this  may  be  an  event  of  but  passing-  inter- 
est. But  to  men  of  thoughtfuhiess,  who  realize  the  worth 
of  Christian  ideals,  and  to  whom  lives  lived  in  unselfish  ser- 
vice for  their  fellow  men  are  sacred  monuments  of  God's 
working,  such  an  occasion  is  of  greatest  significance. 

"Sons  and  Daughters  of  Walnut  Street,  we  invite  you 
to  participate  with  us  in  reverent,  joyful  thanksgiving  to 
God  for  His  kind  providence  that  has  blessed  our  ministry 
love.  Whatever  be  your  station,  or  wherever  your  place  of 
of  present  service,  you  will  be  honored  guests  as  you  renew 
your  fellowship  of  pays  past. 

"Thoughtful  people  everywhere,  we  invite  you  to  bow 
head  and  heart  with  us  in  thankful  commemoration  of  the 
lives  of  Godly  men  and  women  who  have  served  this  com- 
munity for  a  hundred  years  and  made  old  Walnut  Street  a 
force  for  righteousness  and  God. 

"In  our  program  of  activities  we  have  sought  to  in- 
terest you  with  a  presentation  of  a  drama  of  living  history. 
Our  welcome  will  seek  to  make  your  presence  with  us  as 
happy,  convenient  and  profitable  as  possible.  "Come  thou 
with  us  and  we  will  do  thee  good." 

The  preceding  is  quoted  from  the  program  of  the  pro- 
posed Centennial  Celebration,  Nov.  23-27,  1921,  distributed 
and  explained  at  the  congregational  supper  in  October. 

The  celebration  really  began  Nov.  4th  with  the  coming 
to  our  city,  as  our  honored  guest.  Rev.  Henry  C.  Swear- 
ingen,  of  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  Moderator  of  the  General  As- 
sembly. A  banquet  was  served  by  the  Ladies'  Aid  in  the 
Walnut  Street  church,  to  which  the  pastors,  elders,  trus- 
tees and  deacons  of  all  the  Presbyterian  churches  in  the  city 
were  invited.  Later  a  union  meeting  was  held  in  Grace 
Memorial  Church,  addressed  by  the  Moderator,  in  a  scholar- 
ly sermon,  on  the  foundation  belief  of  Presbyterianism  and 
the  church's  confident  message  to  the  need  of  the  world  to- 
day. 

186 


The  program  is  as  follows: 

Wednesday,  November  23,  1921 
Evening,  7:30.     Church  Auditorium. 

Doxology. 

Invocation  Rev.  John  W.  Kennedy,  D.  D. 

Hymn. 

Call  to  Praise  and  Worship Rev.  L.  G.  Whitcomb 

Reading  of  Dedicatory  Address  of  Rev.  Wm.  H.  McCarer. 

Greetings  from  Churches  of  Evansville 

__... .President  Pastors'  Association 

Greetings  from  Community Mayor 

Special  Music. 

Address— The  Church  at  Large  ......Rev.  S.  N.  Wilson,  D.  D. 

Hymn. 
Benediction. 

Thursday,  November  24th 
Morning,  10:00  o'clock. 

Union  Thanksgiving  Service,  Memorial  Coliseum,  under  di- 
rection of  Evansville  Pastor's  Association,  Sermon  by  Rev. 
John  Kennedy,  D.  D. 

One  O'clock.    Lecture  Room. 
Family  Thanksgiving  Dinner. 
"Personal  Reminiscences  of  My  Pastorate"  ..Former  Pastors 

(My  call,  first  impressions,  experiences,  etc.) 
Special  Music. 
Reminiscences  from  Members. 

Presentation  of  Old  Records,  Relics,  Pictures,  etc 

Mrs.  Geo.  S.  Clifford 

Informal  Visiting  and  Examination  of  Records. 

Evening,  7.30.    Church  Auditorium. 
Old  Folks'  Night. 

Organ  Recital Prof.  James  R.  Gillette 

Municipal  Organist. 
Hymn. 

Invocation ...Rev.  C.  S.  Nickerson,  D.  D. 

Special  Musical  Numbers Members  of  old  Tinker  Choir 

Sermon  Rev.  Otis  Smith,  D.  D. 

Special  Music. 
Benediction. 

187 


Friday,  November  25th 

Afternoon,  Two  to  Five.     Lecture  Room. 
Public  Reception,  Parke  Memorial  and  First  Ave.  Presby- 
terian Churches  the  Guests  of  Honor.     Greetings. 
Evening,  7:30.     Church  Auditorium. 
Historical  Pageant  under  the  direction  of  Mrs.  Fred  Ruff. 

Saturday,   November  26th 
Noon,  1  o'clock. 
Luncheon  for  ministers,    elders    and    wives    at  memorial 
manse. 

Evening,  7:30.     Church  Auditorium. 
Memorial  Service. 
Young  people  of  the  congregation  the  guests  of  honor. 
Hymn. 

Invocation  ..Rev.  S.  N.  Wilson,  D.  D. 

Scripture Rev.  L.  G.  Whitcomb 

Prayer  ...._ Rev.  Otis  Smith,  D.  D. 

Special  Music. 

Memorial  Sermon  Rev.  C.  S.  Nickerson,  D.  D. 

Special  Music. 

Dedication  of  Memorial  Windows  and  Tablets 

- Rev.  John  Kennedy,  D.  D. 

Hymn. 
Benediction. 

Sunday,  November  27th 
Morning,  10  o'clock. 

Communion  Service. 
Hymn. 

Invocation Rev.  John  Kennedy,  D.  D. 

Scripture  and  Prayer Rev.  H.  A.  Hymes,  D.  D. 

Special  Music. 

Sermon Rev.  J.  Q.  Adams,  D.  D. 

Hymn. 

The  Lord's  Supper — 

Invitation  Rev.  L.  G.  Whitcomb 

Bread  Rev.  S.  N.  Wilson,  D.  D. 

Wine ..Rev.  H.  A.  Hymes,  D.  D. 

Prayer .Rev.  C.  S.  Nickerson,  D.  D. 

Hymn. 

Benediction. 

188 


Evening,  7:30. 

Song  Service, 

Scripture  and  Prayer __.. ....Rev.  C.  S.  Nickerson,  D.  D. 

Special  Music. 

Sermon ..Rev.  John  Kennedy,  D.  D. 

Special  Music. 

Prayer  of  Consecration Rev.  J.  Q.  Adams,  D.  D. 

Benediction. 

On  Friday  night  in  the  church  auditorium  at  7:30  will 
be  given  a  historical  pageant,  written  for  the  occasion  by 
Mrs.  Fred  Ruff  and  costumed  by  Mrs.  Paul  Schmidt,  the  text 
of  which  is  here  given.  During  the  recitation  of  this  dia- 
logue 120  persons  in  appropriate  costumes,  enacted  scenes 
illustrating  the  history  narrated  in  this  book. 

Father  Time: — 

Checking  off  the  minutes  of  man's  hours, 
I  stand  forever  busy. 

Making  time  by  foot-prints,  seasons,  powers 
As  one  by  one,  man,  moons  or  nations 
Pass  on  to  fill  their  destinies. 
Oft  have  I  disappointed  been 
When  man  has  failed  to  do  his  part ; 
Oft  have  I  called  the  curtain,  when  I've  seen 
The  seasons  unfulfilled  and  by  an  art, 
Passed  them  on  to  Oblivion, 
Where  all  is  forgotten. 
Pve  told  the  tales  of  many  nations 
And  set  them  high  or  low. 
As  by  uplift  or  degradation 
They  placed  themselves ;  and  so 
Pve  written  well  in  history 
The  past  of  all  below. 

Tonight  I  draw  the  curtain,  on  the  past  hundred  years. 
And  let  you  see  the  phases 

Of  this  church,  brought  on  by  faith,  through  fears, 
To  the  time  of  which  you  know. 
And  while  I  marked  the  time  and  history 
Faith  lighted  up  the  way  through  doubt  and  mystery. 
Come,  Faith,  what  dost  thou  say 
Of  thy  work  along  the  way  ? 
Faith  : — 

When  men  were  loathe  to  venture  forth 
I  drew  them  on. 


Full  well  I  knew  the  worth 

Of  striving  for  the  unseen  things; 

Oft  times  they  went,  as  if  by  wings 

They  journeyed  on. 

But  when  the  days  were  dark 

Full  many  times,  I  lit  the  spark 

Of  faith  in  some  devoted  breast, 

Who  stood  for  greater  things,  nor  would  he  rest 

At  good  enough.     He  saw  the  larger  sphere 

That  came  with  prayer  and  faith,  pressed  on, 

Oft  mocked  and  scorned  by  passing  throng. 

Men,  by  example,  learned  to  believe 

That  as  they  ask,  in  faith,  they  receive. 

And  so  the  gift  I've  brought  to  Thee 

From  long  forgotten  memory. 

Father  Time: — 

Here  comes  the  first.  Reverend  D.  C.  Banks, 

What  of  his  faith  and  rank? 

(Enter  Father  Banks  with  old  fashioned  traveling 
bag.  Meets  group  of  men  and  women  and  urges 
them  to  establish  church  in  Evansville.) 

Faith  : — 

When  naught  was  planted  for  the  growth 
Of  Spiritual  life  in  man. 
From  Henderson  he  travelled  forth 
And  formed  a  little  band. 
To  worship  God,  they  met  in  homes 
'Till  launching  out,  they  sought  to  own, 
A  building,  where  by  His  Grace 
All  Evansville  might  seek  HIS  face. 
Father  Time: — 

Ten  years  have  passed,  the  building  grows 
Fostered  by  Warner,  Olmsted  and  Clark  who  knew 
The  sacrifice  men  had  to  face 
In  building  such  a  godly  place. 

(3  Trustees  make  report  to  2  Elders,  giving  list 
of  subscriptions  and  specifications  of  first  build- 
ing.) 
Faith  : — 

Often  times  some  goodly  soul. 
Must  pilot  the  faithful  to  their  goal 
Because  of  rain  and  mud  and  dark. 

(Old  man  with  lantern  leads  in  members  of  sing- 
ing school.) 

190 


Father  Time: — 

Of  the  service,  no  small  thing 
Was  the  way  they  used  to  sing. 
(Music  Master  rehearsing:) 

"Sing  Far  down  the  ages  now 
Much  of  her  journey  done, 
The  pilgrim  church  pursues  her  way 
Until  her  crown  be  won." 
Faith  : — 

A  devoted  woman  with  love  in  her  heart 

Said  surely  the  children  should  have  a  part. 

On  the  Sabbath  she  gathered  them  round  her  knee 

And  taught  them  of  Christ  and  eternity. 

(Woman  with  5  children,  different  ages,  old  fash- 
ioned dress  catechism.- 
Father  Time: — 

Then  came  the  time  when  the  demon  rum 

Debauched  the  youth,  and  often  some 

Of  the  finest  homes  were  caused  to  sorrow, 

Because  of  sin  and  the  drink  horror. 

But  men  rose  up,  formed  temperance  bands 

To  drive  this  evil  out  of  the  land. 

(Four  temperance  cadets  in  white  baggy  trousers 
and  red  waist  coats  with  banners  "Down  with  the 
demon  rum".) 
Faith  : — 

As  usual  when  the  funds  gave  out 
The  "Willing  Workers"  set  about 
To  making  dainty  things  to  sell. 
Now  Mr.  Barnes,  he  knew  them  well. 
And  gave  them  yards  of  ribbons  gay ; 
They  fashioned  gifts,  this  helped  them  pay 
The  Deficit;  and  some  folks  say, 
"They're  at  it  still." 

(Ladies'  sewing  circle    at    work — Old    fashioned 
work  bags.    Mr.  B.  sends  basket  of  ribbons.) 
Father  Time: — 

I  mark  the  time  of  evil  days 

When  North  and  South  forgot  that  they 

Must  stand  united. 

(Soldiers  of  Civil  War  marched  in,  stack  guns  and 
rest. ) 
Faith  : — 

And  while  men  fought  to  free  the  slave 

The  women  prayed  in  faith  to  save 

The  nation.     In  Camp  and  hospital  they  worked 

191 


No  arduous  task,  they  sought  to  shirk. 

(Women  bring  baskets  of  food  to  soldiers,  bundles 
of  lint.) 
Father  Time: — 

And  after  war,  with  all  men  free 

The  people  then  began  to  see 

That  all  must  brothers  be. 

(Women's  missionary  society  packing  barrel  for 
heathen.) 
Faith  : — 

The  women  folk  formed  little  bands 

To  send  their  gifts  to  foreign  lands. 

They  met  to  pray  and  to  learn  the  need 

Of  the  foreign  missions ;  to  sow  the  seed 

Of  Christ's  love  over  there. 

They  learned  their  blessings  with  others  to  share. 

(Enter    Children    of    Messengers,    first    mission 
band.)     2  foreign  children. 
Faith  : — 

So  were  the  children  taught,  they  too 

Mig-ht  share  the  work;  and  when  they  knew 

The  plight  of  children  over  there. 

They  longed  to  help  them,  so  they  shared 

Their  pennies  with  them. 
Father  Time  : — 

I  note  the  trend  of  changing  time 

In  happy  vein  I  see  the  sign 

Of  social  life  and  laughter  gay 

And  work  abetted  by  fun  and  play. 

(Butterflies  and  Flowers.) 
Faith  : — 

While  the  social  life  so  dear 

Was  going  on,  some  hearts  drew  near 

To  poor  and  needy  souls,  near  by. 

Good  women  trained  the  hand  and  eye 

Of  little  ones,  through  sewing  schools; 

Nor  did  they  fail  to  teach  the  rules 

Of  Christian  living. 

(Groups  of  poor  children  around  women  sewing.) 
Father  Time: — 

Now  from  the  circle  of  the  home 

Came  young  folks  claiming  for  their  own 

A  share  of  work.     We  find  them  there. 

With  high  ideals  and  thoughts  sincere. 

And  I  see  many  a  maid  and  man 

Were  married  from  this  little  band. 


(C.  E.  society  tableaux  golden  circle.) 

Father  Time: — 

I  see  just  here  in  history 

That  days  grew  dark.    Years  seemed  an  age, 

While  the  red  dogs  of  war, 

Unleashed  upon  a  horror  stricken  world, 

Spread  death  and  carnage.     Hurled 

And  trampled  under  foot  were  peace  and  love 

Men  rose  in  sheer  brutality 

And  smote  their  brothers.    On  this  side  of  the  sea 

The  cry  went  up,  "This  evil  shall  not  be!" 

And  rising  up  the  youth  of  this  great  land 

Went  forth  a  chosen  band, 

To  fight  for  freedom  and  humanity. 

(Service  boys  led  by  E.  Karcher  with  bugle.) 

Faith  : — 

'Tis  true!  The  youth  went  forth 

While  a  nation  prayed  in  faith 

That  all  might  know  the  worth 

Of  Christian  service.    To  serve  humanity 

These  gave  of  their  time  and  energy, 

That  those  in  foreign  lands 

Might  carry  on, 

(Red  Cross — Motor  Corps,  etc.) 

Father  Time  : — 

And  now  that  youth  has  found  a  place, 
We  find  the  boy  with  smiling  face 
Prepared  to  do  his  task  each  day. 
The  boy  scouts  with  their  high  ideal 
Have  won  approval.    All  men  feel 
The  boys  are  on  the  upward  way. 

(Boy  Scouts  Signaling.) 

Faith  : — 

A  "New  Era"  day  has  dawned 
While  faith  has  led  the  pilgrims  on. 
From  heathen  brothers  'cross  the  sea 
Come  cries  of  help  to  you  and  me. 
New  Era  comes,  they  call  her  friend. 
She  pleads  their  cause  to  budget  men. 

(New  Era  with  sacks  of  gold — Foreigners  plead- 
ing.   New  Era  reaches  out  hands  to  budget.) 

193 


Father  Time: — 

The  time  has  passed! 
You  have  amassed 
A  lot  of  facts  from  history ; 
There  are  only  left  these  little  ones. 
Henceforth  Father  Time  goes  on 
What  shall  I  bring  in  future  years, 
A  wreathe  of  smiles  or  sheaves  of  tears? 
What  sayest  Thou? 
(Little  ones  in  corner  stone) . 

Faith  : — 

Ah !  Father  Time,  a  life's  brief  span, 

Seems  short,  'tis  true,  to  any  man. 

But  what  of  Immortality 

These  little  ones  that  here  you  see, 

Are  but  the  living  corner  stone 

Of  a  new  life  and  often  grown 

To  greater  usefulness  than  known 

By  men  before. 

The  blood  of  churchmen  pioneers 

Has  come  down  through  a  hundred  years 

A  heritage  these  children  know. 

Shall  they  not  carry  on  in  faith 

For  hath  not  Christ  their  master  said 

They  shall  receive  through  faith  their  sight, 

That  leads  them  to  the  living  light. 

So  lead  thou  on.  Oh  Father  Time, 

We  shall  not  fear  thy  mark  or  sign. 

We'll  follow  thee  in  faith  and  know 

That  God  doth  bless  and  guide,  e'en  tho 

The  way  seems  difficult,  and  so 

We'll  travel  on  with  thee, 

With  confidence,  that  we 

May  share  the  joy,  the  pioneers 

Found  travelling  through  a  hundred  years. 


On  Saturday  evening  at  7:30,  Rev.  John  Kennedy, 
D.  D.,  dedicated  the  art  glass  windows  which  shall  stand  in 
the  new  century  as  memorials  of  the  families  active  in  the 
church  of  the  past.  Children  and  grandchildren  delight  to 
honor  thus  the  memory  of  loved  ones  who  bore  the  burden 
of  their  day  and  have  gone  to  their  eternal  reward. 

194 


LIST  OF  MEMORIAL  WINDOWS  AND  DONORS. 

John  Shanklin  ......1795-1877 

Philura  Shanklin 1808-1874 

Lieut.  Col.  James  M.  Shanklin ..1836-1863 

Lizzie  Shanklin  1837-1919 

Donor,  Robert  F.  Shanklin,  Chicago,  111.,  grandson  of 
John  Shanklin. 

Daniel  Morgan,  M.  D .1813-1879 

Matilda  Morgan   1816-1887 

Donor,  Miss  Julia  Morgan,  daughter  of  Daniel  Morgan. 
James  Huntington  Cutler  1829-1907 

Donors,  Mrs.  James  H.  Cutler;  Mr.  W.  H.  Cutler  and 
family. 

Gen.  John  W.  Foster  1836-1917 

Eliza  Jane  McFerson .1818-1913 

Donor,  Mrs.  John  W.  Foster,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Samuel  Orr  1810-1882 

Martha  Lowry  Orr 1796-1882 

James  L.  Orr 1838-1919 

Kate  Howes  Orr 1840-1887 

Martha  Orr  Bayard  1836-1909 

Donors,  Samuel  L.  Orr,  Mrs.  G.  S.  Clifford,  Mrs.  Chas. 
Denby,  Washington,  D.  C,  grandchildren  of  Samuel  Orr. 

Thomas  Edgar  Garvin 1826-1912 

Cornelia  Morris  Garvin  1829-1897 

Donors,  Mrs.  Cornelia  Brown,  Morris  and  Cass  Garvin, 
children. 

George  Cunningham  1855-1916 

Susan  Garvin  Cunningham  1861-1900 

Donors,  George  A.  Cunningham,  Jr.,    Mrs.    J.  Stuart 
Hopkins  and  Mrs.  Ralph  Lemcke  of  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  chil- 
dren. 
Elizabeth  Mills  Gilbert .1829-1917 

Donor,  Mrs.  E.  C.  Johnson,  daughter. 

Matthew  Dalzell  1825-1903 

Donor,  Mrs.  Matthew  Dalzell. 
Samuel  Wylie  Little  1832-1907 

Donor,  Mrs.  S.  W.  Little  and  son,  Harry  W.  Little. 
Mary  Elizabeth  Babcock  1831-1911 

Donors,  Mr.  Howard  Babcock  o  fChicago  and  Mr.  Guil- 
ford Babcock,  of  New  York  City. 
Philip  C.  Decker  1838-1917 

Donors,  Mrs.  Philip  C.  Decker  and  family. 

195 


Windows  are  also  placed  in  the  Sabbath  School  in  mem- 
ory of  the  following : 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  Scantlin,  by  Miss  Lavina  and 
Miss  Ethel  Scantlin,  daughters. 

Mr.  Nicholas  Elles  and  Miss  Adelia  Elles,  by  Mrs.  Eliz- 
abeth Elles. 

Mrs.  Charles  Wedding,  by  Mr.  Charles  Wedding,  Jr., 
son. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  S.  Wells,  by  Mrs.  W.  H.  Keller, 
daughter. 

Mr.  North  Storms,  by  Mrs.  North  Storms. 
Centennial  window  by  Teachers  and  Scholars  of  Sabbath 
School. 

Two  bronze  tablets  also  were  dedicated,  one  erected 
to  the  ruling  elders  of  a  hundred  years  by  the  present  Board 
of  Elders,  and  the  other  to  the  ministers  of  the  century 
erected  by  Mrs.  Robert  Smith,  Miss  Alice  Smith,  and  Mrs. 
Harry  Greek  as  a  memorial  to  Robert  Smith,  Elder,  for 
years  Chairman  of  the  Presbyterial  Board  of  Ministerial 
Relief. 


THE  FUTURE. 

Is  the  history  of  Walnut  Street  Church  ended? 
God  forbid ! 

What  has  the  future  in  store  for  her? 
God  knows. 

But  ringing  down  the  ages  comes 

the  declaration  of  the  Apostle  Paul, 

as  an  exhortation  to  the  church  of  the  next  generation. 

"This  one  thing  I  do,  forgetting  those  things  which  are 
behind,  and  reaching  forth  unto  those  things  which  are  be- 
fore ;  I  press  toward  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high  call- 
ing of  God  in  Christ  Jesus. 

''Nevertheless — Whereunto  we  have  already  attained, 
let  us  walk  by  the  same  rule — let  us  mind  the  same  thing, 
and  my  God  shall  supply  all  your  need,  according  to  his 
riches  in  glory,  by  Christ  Jesus." 

196 


The  trustees  also  announced  the  gift  of  a  $1,000  Liberty 
Bond  to  the  Sabbath  School  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Hubbs  of 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  as  a  memorial  to  their  sister.  Miss  Hannah 
Hubbs  and  their  children,  Frances  and  John,  Jr.,  all  de- 
voted members,  in  former  years,  of  this  Sabbath  School. 

Relics  of  by-gone  days  in  fine  needlework,  books  and 
pictures  were  on  exhibition  in  the  parlors  under  the  care  of 
Mrs.  Edgar  Garvin,  Mrs.  Alexander  Gilchrist  and  Mrs.  L. 
P.  Benezet.  Old  records  and  documents  were  also  open  to 
inspection  as  well  as  a  scrap  book,  compiled  by  Miss  Alice 
Smith,  of  pew  rent  receipts,  treasurer's  reports,  programs 
of  entertainments,  etc. 

An  impressive  part  of  the  Centennial  Communion  serv- 
ice on  Sabbath  morning  was  the  reception  into  membership 
of  the  "Church  of  their  Fathers,"  of  four  children  of  the 
fourth  generation,  who  in  the  pageant  of  Friday  repre- 
sented the  pillars  and  arch  of  the  Church  of  the  Future : 
Kendrick  Orr,  Dorothy  Bohrer,  Edwards  Hopkins,  Henry 
Babcock  Veatch,  Jr. 


197 


IN  GRATEFULiMlMfeil 

OF  THE  D£cEASED-ELDEI1 


SINCE  irs 

DANIEL  CHUTE  18?l-5 
JAMESGOODLETT18EI-5 
ELI  SHERWOOD     1823-3 


LUKE  WOOD 

182  S-4 

JOHN  LiNDLEY 

1828-6 

CONRAD  BAKER 

18  47-5' 

M.W.SAFFORD 

18506 

JOHN  SHANKLIN 

1655-1, 

SAMUEL  ORR 

1855-^ 

CHARLES  WELLS 

JB61-5 

HENRY  F.  BLOUNT 

1861-6* 

C.C.TYRELL 

l86I-# 

JOHN  W.FOSTFR 

rMM 

DANIELG.MAkK  l€S^ 

ALEXANDER  GOW 

m£^i 

EREC-^ 

urn 

^'   THE  "Wi 

p&tf 

BYRON  PARSONS 

^^gjQ^ 

HERMAN  PFAFFI 

IS^ 

mM^J^iMmm: 


am.{     _„ 


./ALTER  L.SULLfVAN  15^4-  C 
JOHN  M.CULVER  1906-  '^ 
GEORGE  S.CLIFfORD  I908-  F 
^>  NOVEMBER 


198 


IN  GRATEFUL  MEMORY 

OF   THE   MINISTERS   WHO    HAVE   SERVED 

WALNUT  STREET  PRESBYTERI-AN  CHURCH 

SINCE    ITS  ORGANIZATION 

1821  1921 

REV.  D.C.BANKS    1821 

REV.  CALVIN  BUTLER   1831 

REV.  MC  AFEE  1834 

REV.JEREMIAH   R.BARNES   1838 

REV.  SAMUEL  K.SNEED   1846 

REV.A.E.LORD    1848 

REV.WM.H.MC  CARER  D.D.  1849 

REV.  J.P.E.KUMLER   D.D.   1868 

REV.  SAMUEL  CARLISLE  DD.  1872 

REV.  CHARLES   HENRY  FOOTE  D.D.  1S76 

REV.  JOHN  QUINCY  ADAMS   D.D.  1878 

REV.  SEWARD  M.DODGE    1881 

REV.  LELAND  M.GILLELAND  D.D.  IS84 

REV.  OTIS   A.SMITH     1891 

REV.SAMUEL  N.WILSON  D.D.  1896 

REV.CHARLES  S.NICKERSON    D.D.  1901 

REV.JOHN  W.KENNEDY  D.D.  1907 

REV.  LESLIE  G.WHITCOMB   1919 

ERECTED    IN   LOVING   MEMORY   OF 

ROBERT  SMITH.  ELDER. 

NOVEMBER     1921 


Hfckman